In the Hebrew, the word Firstfruit (reshiyth) means the first part, the best, chief, choice part (Strongs in blueletterbible.org).
PURPOSE OF THE FIRST FRUIT
The firstfruit offering was to be brought into the house of God (Ex 23: 19). It was intended to provide for the priests since they were not allowed to work outside of the tabernacle. Their work was the care of the sanctuary, the offering up of the sacrifices and other duties assigned in the law:
The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him (Deut 18: 4).
In fact, this offering was so important that God told the Israelites to give only the best and first of the firstfruits for the provision of the priests(Ex 23: 19, 34: 26; Num 18: 12).
If the body of Christ follows the principles of the word (the law being a shadow of things to come), no minister of the gospel should suffer want.
The example of the man from Baalshalisha shows that the firstfruit offering could be given to any minister of the gospel. He brought a firstfruit offering to provide for Prophet Elisha in the time of famine. The famine was so terrible that the sons of the prophets were starving and forced to gather and cook herbs from the field, discovering as well that they had cooked and eaten an unsafe herb (2 Kings 4: 38-42).
WHAT WAS GIVEN AS THE FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING?
This offering consisted of the fruits gathered at each harvest and included wheat (Ex 34: 22), corn (Lev 2: 14), wheat and barley loaves (Lev 23: 17, 2 Kings 4: 42), oil and wine (Num 18: 12), honey (2 Chron 31: 5), any produce from the land (Neh 10: 35).
In today’s world, money is usually considered to be the medium of exchange. However, it is possible that one can explore other kinds of firstfruit offerings based on the needs of the ministry and what the people have to give. For example, someone who is unemployed could give a firstfruit offering of his/her time, skills etc. I do not believe that there is any limit.
The blessing of the firstfruit will be discussed in the upcoming post. Blessings and have a great day.
Power of Prayer, Praise and the Word of God 
August 3, 2014 at 11:39 pm
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after browsing
through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly delighted I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
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December 18, 2012 at 2:44 pm
If i will recieve small amount of money like gift or a part time pay before my salary this coming January, what is my first fruit? the first thing i recieved, or the salary or all i recieved or i can give just a part of my salary?please reply thank you and GOD BLESS
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December 22, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Dear Jemalyn
The first fruit refers to ALL of the salary. Here are some readings that will help you:
https://pppministries.wordpress.com/category/god/jesus/the-church/tithes-and-offerings/
Blessings, peace and angelic protection
Mercedes
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March 23, 2012 at 3:25 am
HEY. I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH A FIRST FRUIT REALLY IS, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE CASE OF PROMOTION OR SALARY INCREASE THE INCREASED PART IS THE FIRST FRUIT ACCORDING TO PROVERBS 3 VS 9 RIGHT?? BUT THEN IN THE CASE OF A NEW JOB OR FIRST SALARY, DOES ONE GIVE ALL THE SALARY OR A FRACTION CAN BE GIVEN?? BECAUSE THE BIBLE USES WORDS LIKE BRING “SOME” OR “THE FIRST OF THE FIRST FRUITS” AND THAT CONFUSES ME A GREAT DEAL. SOME PASTOR SAY ITS NOT ALL OF THE FIRST SALARY SOME SAY ITS ALL OF IT.
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April 7, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Dear Mati
Thanks for visiting, reading and responding. It is hard to understand the literal concept of “firstfruits” unless you live in an agricultural society like the Jews. I live in the Caribbean where fruits and other crops are quite seasonal. From my own observation, the first of the crop does not bear in abundance. When the season is “high”, then you see an abundance of fruits weighing down the trees.
To answer this rather difficult and touchy question for all of us, I again looked up the word “firstfruits” in the Blueletterbible.org.
God told the Jews to bring:
* the FIRST of the firstfruits
* a sheaf of the firstfruits = a dry measure about 2 liters (Strong’s in blueletterbible.org). This indicates that the firstfruit offering was not all that large
* the best – God did not want the Jews to take bruised and beaten up fruits to the Priests
How much did “the firstfruit” represent?
I believe that the firstfruits represented ALL of the first of the crops that bore. Just before you think that the Jews were going to starve, remember that the Jews usually were so blessed (when they obeyed God), that they would have crops left over from previous year’s harvest.
If a firstfruit represented SOME, we would have to ask then if some or all of Jesus rose from the dead. Apostle Paul compared our Lord to the firstfruits of the ressurected dead – resurrected never to die again:
But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming (1 Corinthians 15: 20 & 23).
Blessings
Mercedes
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September 14, 2011 at 5:53 pm
God bless you your explaining of first fruits was very helpful to me as in class I was challenged on frist fruits and tithes being the same. I explained the fact that they are different but at the time couldn’t provide references , so thank you for your helpfef references onece again God bless you
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September 18, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Dear Jervens
Thanks and God bless. Hope you continue to read this blog which is inspired by God
Sincerely
Mercedes
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February 5, 2011 at 9:54 am
Please pastor my question goes as this my first fruit is my first salary, then I have out standing deducted from salary before pay then and is not full again can i go on and give as my first fruit?
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February 6, 2011 at 10:24 am
Hello Danjuma
Yes you can give what is left after the deductions as the firstfruit. God bless you
Mercedes
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January 23, 2011 at 9:43 pm
How do I give a first fruit offering weekly from $148. 00 weekly? How do I give tithes and offering from that salary according to Malachi 3? Please let me know.
Praise God!
Angela
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February 6, 2011 at 10:53 am
Dear Angela
This post will explain about the firstfruit offering
The Jews gave two of these offerings:
* They both consisted of ALL of the firstfruits or first crops of the harvest .
* They were given in a one time offering rather than over time.
Blessings. Read more here in tithes and offerings on this website
https://pppministries.wordpress.com/category/god/jesus/the-church/tithes-and-offerings/
Mercedes
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January 6, 2011 at 4:41 am
It’s a pity that we give our own meaning to God’s word. The firstfruit was never ever referred to as the best! The firstfruit was an agricultural concept which though practised by the Jews has a completely new meaning to the New Testament believer. What consisted of the firstfruits in the Old Testament was simple the first crops to ripen. It was not much because everything that was brought could fit into a basket. This was brought and waved before God. There is no where in scripture that the New Testament believer has been commanded to carry on this practise and substitute crops with money because the symbolism of the Old Testament firstfruit was the resurrection of Christ. Scripture calls Jesus the firstfruits from the dead.
I do not know where you get the idea that money was absent at the time hence crops were used instead. Money was very present. In Genesis we see that Israel gave money to his sons to go to Egypt to buy food. Also in the book of Deuteronomy, God gave specific instructions to the children of Israel that if the place they are to eat their tithes is too far, they should convert their tithes (always crops and livestock never money) into money and go to the place God had chosen and spend all the money there on things they liked.
All these man made doctrines are making a total mockery of Christianity!
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August 25, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Dear Elite
You may be fascinated to discover that Abel gave a firstfruit offering. Why?
Mercedes
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January 31, 2010 at 5:48 am
when the Bible says one thing about firstfruit, and man preaches something different, that’s taking away from God’s word, meaning the first fruit did not say anything about giving money and how much , it was talking about giving food, it’s also talking about giving your time, and your talent . It’s saying you think that i probably don’t pay tithe or give ,i do, but even tithing in the bible, is different than what most preacher teaches these days. I if i’m wrong please correct me.
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February 1, 2010 at 12:32 am
Hello Mary
Firstfruit offerings were given very early in the earth – Abel gave one. God gave one before the foundation of the earth and then sent Him in time. His was Jesus. Since God loves firstfruit offerings, I think that maybe you should test the principle to see how it works. You will be absolutely delighted. Blessings
Please read more at: https://pppministries.wordpress.com/2010/01/31/testimonial-po…fruit-offering/
Sincerely
Mercedes
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March 22, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Hello Mary, ‘
Yes, the firstfruit offering was food in the Jewish context .This food was obtained as a result of labour – they were c hiefly farmers. The principle is that our firstfruit offering represents the result of labour.
However, in the parable of Matthew 6, Jesus spoke about the hypocrisy of the people who spent ALL of their working hours sowing, reaping and storing food in order to make money to take care of basic needs of food. clothing and shelter. Nothing was given to the Kingdom of God. He then said that we must seek the Kingdom of God FIRST.
The principle is that our passion and priority should be the kingdom of God. Therefore, all that we have to offer, including our money (we are not farmers) should be given back to the Kingdom of God.
Blessings
Mercedes
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January 6, 2010 at 12:50 am
I want to thank God and thank you for taking your time to discuss this great topic. Please, will tithe be taking out of your first fruit offering?
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January 25, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Hello Abimbola
The first fruit offering represented the first and best of something to be given to God. I use blueletterbible.org to help me understand bible truths. Go to this site and search using the words “first”, “firstling”, “firstlings”, “firstfruit”, “firstfruits”. This will give you an idea of the truth. For example, Abel offered the firstlings of the flock to God . These were the FIRST animals that were born and also the unblemished ones (Gen 4: 4). His offering pleased God.
Practical applications include giving:
* the first hour of your day to worship, pray and study the bible
* first child to God for full time service, like Hannah did with Prophet Samuel
* first weeks salary in the first month of the year OR
* first month’s salary of the entire year
The possibilities are endless and it all depends on your faith
On the other hand, the tithe is a tenth and represents something like a tip that you give to someone in return for a service rendered.
Was this helpful? Please let me know.
Blessings
Mercedes
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September 1, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Dear Bimbo
Just got this in 2012! A tithe is a tenth of income.
Mercedes
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August 2, 2009 at 12:10 pm
first fruit is awesome and it works out 40th of what u receive
so it works out about 25 per 1000 u receive whether it be $ or ponds or rands or whatever
hope GOD bless u all as u pay ur first fruits
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January 19, 2009 at 3:56 pm
thank you for giving more detail to this. the question is is this applicable only to my first salary when i got a job or at the beginning of every year? again am i to remove my tithe before giving the first fruit? and lastly, am a leader in the church (Admin Assistant) can i use this money to buy something i know is a need in my local assembly and present it.
thank you for the time.
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March 15, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Dear Awudumapu
You do not need to remove the tithe. I would personally give the first fruit offering directly to the ministry, after the example of the Old Testament giving.
Sincerely
Mercedes
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January 11, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I am a Pastor in Memphis, TN. Our Church is celebrating the firstfruits offering. Please explain how it goes. I get paid weekly and bi-weekly. I gave all of my weekly salary and my bi-weekly salary. What if I only got paid per month. Would I give the entire month of Pay? Please help me.
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March 15, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Dear pastor Sharon
Thanks for your comments and I do apologize for the long delay. I’m thinking through this. The Jews planted then would give all of the first harvest. Thereafter, the rest was theirs. It seems to me that your first fruit offering could be either the first salary that you received.
Sincerely
Mercedes
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August 14, 2008 at 8:12 am
I am so grateful to your teaching about firstfruits.I take it in my heart.
God bless.
Joseph Malanga
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June 26, 2008 at 8:10 am
thank you for the clarity you give on the teaching, but what I want to know is if i tithe monthly and give offring do I still tithe when i recieve my investments, or do i give tithe of the interests gained. thank you
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April 1, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Dear Abraham
Thanks for visiting the site, reading and leaving a query. I answered your question at
I do appreciate your input and God bless you richly
Sincerely
Mercedes Moss
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March 27, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Thank you for this teaching.
How much was the first-fruit?
Regards
Abraham de Villiers
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