When you hear the phrase first fruits, what comes to mind?
Maybe you picture a farmer bringing in the first harvest of the season.
Or perhaps you think about something precious—something set apart and given as an offering.
In the Bible, first fruits carry deep meaning.
They represent gratitude, devotion, and trust in God’s provision.
But what exactly does the Bible say about first fruits?
Why were they important in biblical times, and what do they mean for us today?
Let’s explore Scripture to understand the significance of first fruits and how they apply to our lives.
First Fruits in the Old Testament
The concept of first fruits appears early in the Bible.
In ancient Israel, God commanded His people to bring the first portion of their harvest as an offering to Him.
This wasn’t just a tradition—it was a way of honoring God and recognizing that everything comes from Him.
In Exodus 23:19, God tells His people, Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.
This command wasn’t optional.
It was a way to acknowledge that God was the true provider.
By giving the first and best portion, the Israelites showed their faith that God would continue to supply their needs.
Leviticus 23:10-11 gives even more details about this offering.
God told the Israelites to bring the first sheaf of their harvest to the priest, who would present it before the Lord.
This offering wasn’t just about crops—it was about obedience and trust.
It was a way of saying, God, we trust you with our future harvest because you have always been faithful.
First Fruits Show Trust in God’s Provision
Giving first fruits required faith.
The Israelites didn’t wait until they had stored enough grain to feel comfortable.
They gave the very first part of their harvest—before they even knew how much more they would receive.
This kind of giving demonstrated total trust in God.
Proverbs 3:9-10 captures this principle beautifully.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
This verse shows a powerful truth.
When we put God first, He provides abundantly.
The first fruits offering was a way to put faith into action.
It wasn’t just about giving—it was about recognizing that God is the source of all blessings.
Jesus as the First Fruits
The idea of first fruits isn’t just about crops and offerings.
It points to something much greater—Jesus Himself.
In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul calls Jesus the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
What does that mean?
It means that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead, never to die again.
His resurrection is a promise that all who believe in Him will also rise to eternal life.
Just as the first portion of a harvest was given to God, Jesus was the first of a greater spiritual harvest.
His resurrection is the beginning of something new—a kingdom where death is defeated.
Because Jesus was raised, we can have confidence in our own resurrection.
He is the first, but we are part of the harvest to come.
First Fruits in Our Lives Today
The biblical idea of first fruits isn’t just about farming.
It applies to every part of our lives.
We may not be bringing in a wheat harvest, but we still have first fruits to offer.
The principle of first fruits teaches us to put God first in everything.
This includes our time, our money, our talents, and our priorities.
Matthew 6:33 says, Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Putting God first isn’t always easy.
It requires trust.
It means giving to God before we see what’s left over.
But the Bible shows that when we put God first, He takes care of the rest.
Giving Our Best to God
First fruits are not about giving what’s left over.
They are about giving God our best.
In Malachi 1:6-8, God rebukes the Israelites for offering blind, lame, and sick animals as sacrifices.
He asks them, Would you give that to your governor?
If not, why give it to God?
This passage is a reminder that God deserves our best, not just what we don’t need.
In the same way, we should give God the best of our time, our energy, and our resources.
Not because He needs it, but because it shows our love and devotion.
First Fruits and Generosity
First fruits also teach us about generosity.
When we recognize that everything comes from God, it becomes easier to give.
Instead of holding on tightly to what we have, we can give freely, knowing that God will provide.
In Acts 20:35, Paul reminds us of Jesus’ words: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
This is the heart of first fruits giving.
It’s about trusting that God will always meet our needs, so we don’t have to be afraid to give.
Generosity isn’t just about money.
It’s about having a heart that is open to blessing others.
Whether it’s our time, our kindness, or our resources, a spirit of generosity reflects the heart of God.
The Blessing of First Fruits
Giving first fruits comes with a promise.
Throughout the Bible, we see that God blesses those who put Him first.
Proverbs 3:9-10 says that honoring God with first fruits leads to abundance.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul writes, Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
God’s blessings are not just about material things.
He blesses us with peace, joy, and spiritual growth.
When we live with open hands, trusting God fully, we experience His provision in ways we never expected.
Living a First Fruits Lifestyle
The principle of first fruits isn’t just about one-time giving.
It’s about a lifestyle.
It’s about making God the first priority in everything we do.
It means starting our day with prayer before we get busy with work.
It means giving to God first before spending on other things.
It means trusting Him with our future instead of relying only on our own plans.
When we live a first fruits lifestyle, we live with a deep trust in God.
We recognize that He is our provider, our source, and our sustainer.
Final Thoughts
First fruits are more than an offering.
They are a declaration of trust in God.
They show our gratitude, our faith, and our commitment to put Him first.
In the Old Testament, first fruits were about bringing the first of the harvest to God.
In the New Testament, Jesus became the ultimate first fruit, rising from the dead and securing eternal life for us.
Today, we practice first fruits by giving God the best of our time, resources, and devotion.
When we put God first, He takes care of the rest.
And when we live with open hands, trusting in His provision, we experience the fullness of His blessings.