First Fruits

On Sunday mornings, when it comes time for the offering, Pastor Pete says, “Let us now offer up our first fruits to God.” In Ancient Israel, the Jewish people were called to bring in their first fruits to the Temple on the 50th day after Passover. The first fruits refer to the first portion of the harvest that they would bring to the Temple. It was an act of faith and devotion. They were trusting that God would provide for a plentiful harvest.

We too are called to trust that God will provide for us. Instead of offering wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates, which are crops grown in Israel, we can bring an offering of money to God. We are not limited to the growing season nor are we limited to Sunday mornings. We can offer our first fruits to God anytime.

Ways that your first fruits can be offered:

1. By placing it in the offering plate during the Sunday morning worship service.
2. By using your bank’s BillPay system where you bank sends a check for you.
3. By mailing a check yourself.
4. By having a portion of you Required Minimum Distribution (RMD’s) sent from your retirement account directly to the church, talk to your account manager about this option.

Thank you for generosity and may the Lord bless and keep you in His Grace. Amen.