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- A Beginne' Guid T -
First Fruit offering
Important
things you should
know

This guide answers the "most asked" questions:

What is a first fruit?
What is the difference between first fruit and
tithing?
How to give a first fruit offering?

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Table of Contents
This introduction is slightly larger than the main body text
to help catch the reader's attention.

1. Cover Page

2. Introduction

3. What is a first fruit?

4. Quote

5. What is the Difference between first fruits and

tithing?

6. Proverbs 3:9-10

7. How to Give a First Fruit Offering?

8. Ezekiel 44:30

9. How to Give a First Fruit Offering 2?

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INTRODUCTION
First fruits may be mentioned when pastors talk about giving
or generosity. But what exactly does it mean? And why is it
good to know?

I trust that you're well and having an amazing week!

I've received a lot of questions regarding first fruit offerings and I want to take
time and answer the "most asked" questions:
1. What is a first fruit?
2. What is the difference between first fruit and tithing?
3. How to give a first fruit offering?
There are plenty of terms and phrases in the Bible you frequently hear in
church but may not understand. One such term is first fruits.
First fruits may be mentioned when pastors talk about giving or generosity. But
what exactly does it mean? And why is it good to know?
I'm looking forward to sharing my insights.

Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.

Pastor

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What is a first fruit?

“When you come into the land which I give you and reap its
harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of
your harvest to the priest.” —Leviticus 23:10
The concept of first fruits is rooted in biblical times
when people lived in an agrarian society. Harvest time
was significant because that was when the hard work the
farmers had poured into their crops all year began to
pay off. They were literally reaping what they sowed.

The Hebrew word for first fruit is literally translated to

“promise to come.”

The Israelites saw these first fruits as an investment into

their future. God told them that if they brought their
first fruits to him, he would bless all that came
afterword.

We no longer live in an agrarian-based society. Most

people reading this are probably not farmers.

You likely don’t worry about harvest time or giving away

the first yield of your crops. But the idea of first fruits is
still relevant—it just takes on a new meaning for us.

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The Hebrew word for

first fruit is literally
translated to “promise
to come.” The Israelites
saw these first fruits
as an investment into
their future.

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What is the Difference

between first fruits and
tithing?
“The first of all first fruits of every kind and every
contribution of every kind, from all your contributions,
shall be for the priests: you shall also give to the priest the
first of your dough to cause a blessing to rest on your
house.” —Ezekiel 44:30
To give a tithe means that you give a tenth of your
income to your church. Tithes are generally given
throughout the entire year.
Tithes are meant to be given in an automatic sense of
obedience after you receive your income--e.g., paycheck,
commission, bonus. A first fruit offering is something
different.
First fruit offerings are typically an annual gift to the
church done at “harvest time.” Because we’re not
actually harvesting crops, the harvest can mean different
things to different people.
Perhaps you just got a bonus at work. Maybe you just
received a huge tax refund check. Maybe you saved 15%
or more on car insurance.
These are all harvest time moments when your hard
work paid off. These are also great opportunities to turn
back to God in gratitude for the blessings.
Whenever you decide to make a first fruit offering, the
important thing is that you do it freely, with no guilt or
obligation. This is supposed to be a celebration of all
that God has done for you.
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Honor the Lord with

your wealth and with the
firstfruits of all your
produce; then your
barns will be filled with
plenty, and your vats will
be bursting with wine.

Proverbs 3:9-10

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And the first of all the

firstfruits of all kinds, and
every offering of all kinds
from all your offerings, shall
belong to the priests. You
shall also give to the
priests the first of your
dough, that a blessing may
rest on your house.

Ezekiel 44:30
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How to give first fruit

offering?
“If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then
the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the
branches.” —Romans 11:16
What does this practically look like? How do you
determine how, when, and how much you should give as
a firstfruit offering? This is going to look different for
every person and each season. But here are a few steps
you can take to help you get started in the right
direction:

Give: Know where you are going to give the money to. Is
there a specific fund at the church you want to contribute
to (Yes! All In)? Is there another nonprofit you want to
support? It also helps to know the amount you’ll give.

Repeat: How often do you want to give a first fruit

offering? This was traditionally an annual practice, but
you can give as often as you’d like. Making it a part of
your routine will help keep it a priority, not something
you do spontaneously or sporadically.

In closing, I'm asking the membership to be "ALL IN" and

support this initiative by giving a 1st Fruit gift of $180 on
February 2nd, then starting March 1st, give $21 weekly or
$90 monthly.

This gift is in addition to our normal tithe.

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How to give first fruit

offering?
“If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then
the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the
branches.” —Romans 11:16
What does this practically look like? How do you
determine how, when, and how much you should give as
a firstfruit offering? This is going to look different for
every person and each season.
But here are a few steps you can take to help you get
started in the right direction:
Pray: If your goal is obedience to God, it only makes
sense that you would first go to him in prayer.

Ask him what you should do with your money and

resources. Listen to what he says.

Prepare: God calls us to be good stewards of the

blessings he gives us. That means knowing what we’re
able to give and when.
Have a plan in place for your offering. Approach each
harvest time with an open mind and a generous heart.

Prioritize: The whole idea behind a first fruit gift is to put

God first. That may be donating your first paycheck of
the year to the church. It may mean that you put this
donation first in your budget.
Just make sure that you’re prioritizing God in your
finances. /
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Donate now!
This is a statement that explains the overall offer. The quote
below should help to reinforce this statement.

We understand many of our members work on Sunday

or may be traveling. Please click the donate now button
below and give now.

DONATE NOW

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