Embracing Generosity: The Power of First Fruits

 

Summary

Summary:

Today, we gather to reflect on the greatness of God and His blessings in our lives. We acknowledge that God's name is above all names and that His greatness should permeate every aspect of our lives, from our homes to our finances. As we embark on this journey of faith, we seek to understand the principles of God's blessings, particularly through the concept of first fruits. This is a time-honored tradition rooted in biblical teachings, where we offer the first of our harvest to God as a sign of trust and gratitude.

First Fruits Sunday is a special day where we focus on the principle of giving. It's not just about financial contributions but about understanding the spiritual significance of offering the first and best to God. This principle is not about legalistic obligations but about cultivating a heart of generosity. We are reminded that God loves a cheerful giver, and our offerings should be given out of love and gratitude, not grudgingly or out of necessity.

The story of Cain and Abel serves as a poignant reminder that not all offerings are accepted by God. It's not just about the act of giving but the heart and spirit behind it. We are encouraged to give generously, trusting that God will provide for our needs. The principle of sowing and reaping is emphasized, where those who sow bountifully will also reap bountifully. This is not a promise of material wealth but a call to trust in God's provision and to live a life marked by generosity.

As we move forward into the new year, we are called to trust God with our finances and to be generous in all areas of our lives. This generosity should extend beyond the church to those in need around us. We are reminded that our offerings are a reflection of our trust in God and our desire to see His kingdom flourish. Let us give with joy and gratitude, knowing that God will bless us abundantly as we honor Him with our first fruits.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Importance of First Fruits: The principle of first fruits is about offering the first and best to God as a sign of trust and gratitude. It's not about legalistic obligations but about cultivating a heart of generosity and acknowledging God's provision in our lives. [54:08]

2. The Heart Behind the Offering: The story of Cain and Abel reminds us that not all offerings are accepted by God. It's not just about the act of giving but the heart and spirit behind it. Our offerings should be given out of love and gratitude, not grudgingly or out of necessity. [59:25]

3. Sowing and Reaping: The principle of sowing and reaping emphasizes that those who sow bountifully will also reap bountifully. This is not a promise of material wealth but a call to trust in God's provision and to live a life marked by generosity. [01:18:33]

4. Generosity Beyond the Church: Our generosity should extend beyond the church to those in need around us. We are called to live a generous lifestyle, blessing others as God has blessed us. This reflects our trust in God and our desire to see His kingdom flourish. [01:23:50]

5. Trusting God with Our Finances: As we move into the new year, we are called to trust God with our finances and to be generous in all areas of our lives. Our offerings are a reflection of our trust in God and our desire to honor Him with our first fruits. [01:27:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Exalting God's Greatness
- [02:00] - Prayer for Blessings and Healing
- [05:00] - The Power of God's Name
- [07:30] - Understanding First Fruits
- [10:00] - The Importance of Giving
- [15:00] - Cain and Abel's Offerings
- [20:00] - Principles of First Fruits
- [25:00] - New Testament Giving
- [30:00] - Generosity and Joyful Giving
- [35:00] - Trusting God with Finances
- [40:00] - The Role of Generosity
- [45:00] - The Widow's Mite
- [50:00] - Final Thoughts on Giving
- [53:57] - Closing Blessing and Dismissal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Greatness of God and First Fruits

Bible Reading:
1. Leviticus 23:9-11
2. 2 Corinthians 9:5-14
3. Genesis 4:3-5

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the first fruits offering as described in Leviticus 23:9-11? How does this relate to the concept of First Fruits Sunday mentioned in the sermon? [54:08]

2. In 2 Corinthians 9:5-14, what does Paul emphasize about the attitude and heart behind giving? How does this align with the sermon’s message on cheerful giving? [59:25]

3. How does the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:3-5 illustrate the importance of the heart behind an offering? What was the outcome of their offerings? [01:18:33]

4. According to the sermon, what are some of the principles of God's blessings, and how do they apply to our financial giving? [01:08:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the principle of first fruits challenge the way we view our resources and God's provision in our lives? What does it mean to offer the "first and best" to God? [54:08]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our offerings are a reflection of our trust in God? How does this trust manifest in our daily lives and financial decisions? [01:27:04]

3. How does the concept of sowing and reaping, as discussed in 2 Corinthians 9, apply to our spiritual and financial lives? What does it mean to sow bountifully? [01:18:33]

4. The sermon mentions generosity beyond the church. How can this broader view of generosity impact our communities and relationships? [01:23:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current approach to giving. Do you find it challenging to give your first and best to God? What steps can you take to align your giving with the principle of first fruits? [54:08]

2. Consider a time when you gave out of obligation rather than joy. How did that experience differ from times when you gave cheerfully? What can you do to cultivate a heart of joyful giving? [59:25]

3. The sermon emphasizes trusting God with our finances. What specific financial decision or situation are you currently facing that requires you to trust God more fully? How can you take a step of faith in this area? [01:27:04]

4. Think about someone in your life who is in need. How can you extend generosity to them this week, reflecting the sermon’s call to generosity beyond the church? [01:23:50]

5. How does the story of Cain and Abel challenge you to examine the motives behind your giving? What changes might you need to make to ensure your offerings are pleasing to God? [01:18:33]

6. The sermon discusses the idea of living a generous lifestyle. What practical steps can you take to incorporate generosity into your daily routine, both within and outside the church? [01:23:50]

7. Reflect on the concept of sowing and reaping in your life. What are some areas where you can sow more generously, trusting that God will provide for your needs? [01:18:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God with Our First and Best
The principle of first fruits is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition, where believers are encouraged to offer the first and best of their harvest to God. This act is not about fulfilling a legalistic obligation but about cultivating a heart of generosity and acknowledging God's provision in our lives. By giving our first fruits, we demonstrate our trust in God's ability to provide for our needs and express our gratitude for His blessings. This practice invites us to examine our priorities and ensure that God holds the highest place in our lives, influencing our decisions and actions. [54:08]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can offer your "first and best" to God today, and how can you practically do this?


Day 2: The Heart Behind Our Offerings
The story of Cain and Abel serves as a powerful reminder that God values the heart and spirit behind our offerings more than the offerings themselves. It's not merely about the act of giving but about the love and gratitude that motivate our generosity. God desires cheerful givers who give out of a genuine desire to honor Him, rather than out of obligation or necessity. This perspective challenges us to examine our motives and ensure that our giving reflects a sincere love for God and a desire to see His kingdom flourish. [59:25]

"And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell." (Genesis 4:4b-5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your recent acts of giving. Are they motivated by love and gratitude, or are there other underlying motives? How can you align your heart with God's desires?


Day 3: Sowing Generously, Reaping Abundantly
The principle of sowing and reaping emphasizes that those who sow bountifully will also reap bountifully. This is not a promise of material wealth but a call to trust in God's provision and to live a life marked by generosity. By sowing generously, we open ourselves to the abundant blessings that God has in store for us, which may manifest in various forms, including spiritual growth, deeper relationships, and a greater sense of purpose. This principle encourages us to live with open hands, ready to give and receive according to God's will. [01:18:33]

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." (2 Corinthians 9:6, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you can sow more generously. What steps can you take today to begin sowing bountifully in that area?


Day 4: Extending Generosity Beyond the Church
Our call to generosity extends beyond the walls of the church to those in need around us. As recipients of God's blessings, we are encouraged to live a generous lifestyle that reflects our trust in God and our desire to see His kingdom flourish. This involves being attentive to the needs of others and responding with compassion and kindness. By extending our generosity to those outside the church, we become conduits of God's love and grace, impacting lives and communities in meaningful ways. [01:23:50]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your community who is in need. How can you extend generosity to them this week in a way that reflects God's love?


Day 5: Trusting God with Our Finances
As we move into the new year, we are called to trust God with our finances and to be generous in all areas of our lives. Our offerings are a reflection of our trust in God and our desire to honor Him with our first fruits. This trust involves recognizing that everything we have comes from God and that He is faithful to provide for our needs. By entrusting our finances to God, we free ourselves from the anxiety of material concerns and open ourselves to the peace and joy that come from living in alignment with His will. [01:27:04]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

Reflection: What financial concerns are you holding onto that you need to entrust to God? How can you take a step of faith today to trust Him more fully with your finances?

Quotes



"Regardless of how it's given, because there are needs. And I'll be honest with you, if you put it with a bad mind, we will take it. Right? We will take it. I'm being honest, right? But does God accept it? You see, that's the question. Does God accept it? And that is important to understand, because when God accepts it, he blesses it and he returns it to you." [00:54:08] (21 seconds)


"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land which I give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your... On your behalf, on the day after the Sabbath, the priest shall wave him." [00:55:18] (22 seconds)


"But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. He says, so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." [01:00:10] (32 seconds)


"right i titled this sermon blessed by money because um anything that is blessed has the potential to multiply money i don't know how many of you know this is actually controlled by a demon how many of you know that money that money that you have in your pocket that money that you worked for there's a god of money that controls that a demonic entity that controls that that's why jesus said lay up face our treasures in heaven where modern wrath does not corrupt and then he says later on he says um you can't serve god and mammon mammon according to the encyclopedia britannica is a biblical term for riches often used to describe the debasing influence of material wealth the term was used by jesus in this in this sermon medieval writers commonly interpreted it as an evil demon or god and jesus is a demon of god and jesus is a demon of god and jesus is a demon of god and jesus is a calling all that evil demons name he says mammon and he says you cannot serve god and mammon in other words you can't go after money in that way and still say you're serving god there must be a separation so when that money that is controlled by this demonic entity like so many other things in this world that we use when it is brought to god and we put it before him and say god you bless this the dynamics changes because now the god of that money that you've brought is not mammon but your heavenly father does that make sense because that's what it is so whatever is brought before god can be blessed so that it can be multiplied amen paul said and timothy says it talks about people going after money he said the love of money is the root of all evil he says because of that people have had themselves poked with many spears because of their they're chasing after money and going after because they want it and doing all kinds of evil things amen so as we understand here today the offering can either be accepted or be rejected by god if it is if it is rejected by god like i said i can't make this more clearer we will take it and use it for the kingdom of god because money right but at the end of the day whether god blesses you with your offering or not depends on the spirit in which it was given amen stand with me this morning skein's offering was rejected because it was not brought to the right spirit how do we know it was not brought to the right spirit because when god said i don't want your offering he got really mad and he killed his brother right because you see he came with that same spirit as well amen so what is an acceptable offering the acceptable offering the onus is on you not upon god it's upon you to decide how that offering is coming is it coming as unto the lord out of a generous heart or is it coming from some places pastor bonnie can you come amen" [01:35:29] (0 seconds)


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Transcript
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