Understanding God’s Principle of First Fruits

Walk out Your Faith

Philippians 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

This faith walk is day by day living. The more we practice our faith, the greater it becomes. As we step out in faith and see God move on our behalf, our faith increases, so that the next time we are able to believe for greater things.

The disciples learned to believe and trust as they walked with Jesus for three years. We too should expect our faith to be developed as we walk with Him.

He led me into the knowledge of first fruits step by step as I responded in faith and obedience. Like many revelations that have transformed my life, it has been a progression, more than a suddenly. (Paula White – First Things First page 123)

Your Faith has Made you Whole

A number of times in the Bible we are given an account whereby Jesus told someone that it was their faith that made them whole.

In Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34 and Luke 8:48 it was the woman who had the issue of blood for twelve years. In desperation she made her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of His garment. In my mind, I see her crawling through the throng of people that surrounded Him. When we are desperate we will do most anything.

Matthew 15:22-28 gives an account of a woman who in desperation sought out Jesus for healing for her daughter. She persisted even though Jesus shunned her and referred to her as a dog.

In Mark 10:52, blind Bartimaeus, cried out to Lord even though those around him were telling him to be silent.

Luke 17:19 recounts the story of ten lepers being healed. Although they were all made whole, only one returned to thank the Lord.

Wholeness: The condition of being complete or full: not lacking or leaving out any part. Prosperity is a wholeness word. It refers to more than finances. It references health, peace, rest, safety, security, wellbe- ing, abundance, and joy to name a few.

All these are available to you through faith.

The principle of first fruits offering is about honoring and reverencing God. As you do, you act in faith, which positions you to see those promises manifest in your life. It is your faith in Him that releases God’s promises to you. Faith is what empowers you to obtain all that God has promised you. (Paula White – First Things First page 122)

Be Fruitful and Multiply

To find God’s original intention for our lives we start at the beginning – Genesis.

As God created the various creatures and then man, He instructed them to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1).
After the flood, He gave the same instruction to Noah. (Gen 9:1)
When blessing Abraham He told him He would make him exceedingly fruitful. (Gen 17:6)

It has always been God’s intention for us to be fruitful, to grow and increase.

We’ve already examined that as we seek the Kingdom of God, all “these things” will be added to you. Also, we’ve mentioned Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?“

God wants to bless and prosper you. (Jer 29:11) Won’t you put your faith in Him and His word?

God’s provision for you is a complete package. (Paula White – First Things First page 101)

Prosperity

True biblical prosperity has been a grossly misunderstood and misused word. The Hebrew word for prosperous is “shalom” which means safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, i.e. health, prosperity and peace. It is the primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate), figuratively to be completed or to make complete. It is a wholeness word. It is a transformation of your heart and soul. Your life is transformed as your mind is renewed or renovated. To renovate means to take away the old and put in the new. (Paula White – First Things First page 92-93)

I’m reminded of when God led the Israelites out of Egypt.

“And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. …” (Exodus 12:35-36)

God will give you such favor that even your enemies will bless you.

Putting Him First,