The document discusses the biblical concept of firstfruits, which refers to offering the first and best of what one has to God. It provides details on how firstfruits were practiced in the Mosaic law, including being brought individually to the house of the Lord. New Testament examples are given, such as Christ being the firstfruits of resurrection and believers being the firstfruits redeemed by Christ. The document concludes by explaining how giving God first place spiritually in one's conduct, pursuits, body and mind results in blessings like bringing others to Christ, having needs provided for, and learning God's will.

1. Putting God First by
Giving Him Your Best First
1

2. Old and New Testament Usage
Definition: The choice examples of a crop
harvested first and dedicated to God.
Spiritual Definition: The first and best of all that a
believer offers to God.
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3. Key Features of the Mosaic Law Concerning
Firstfruits :
Brought by individual Israelites to the house of
the Lord, Exo 23:19; 34:26
Included grain, wine, and oil, used for the
support of the priests (with the exception of
the grain) Lev 2:14-16, Num 18:12;
Deu 18:4
Brought in baskets to the sanctuary for
presentation, Deu 26:1-11
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4. Brought the promise of prosperity to those who
honored the Lord with the firstfruits, Prov 3:9-
10.
Brought also, was a sheaf of barley and
presented as a wave offering before the Lord on
the day after the Passover Sabbath
(Lev 23:9-14) as a public acknowledgment that
all came from God and belonged to Him,
Num 28:26; Exo 23:16; 34:22; Lev 25:23-24.
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5. Firstfruit Designations in Scripture:
Israel, Jer 2:3 (Other nations shall be blessed)
Christ in His resurrection, 1 Cor 15:20-23,
(Other saints will follow in resurrection)
The Holy Spirit given as the firstfruits of the
blessings He brings to believers with more
blessings to follow when we receive our full
inheritance in Christ, Rom 8:23
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6. 6
Israel, the firstfruits of God’s redemptive
plan for man, Rom 11:13-16
Early believers, the firstfruits of many more
to be redeemed by Christ, James 1:18
The first new believers of an particular area
or region, Rom 16:5
The 144,000 witnesses in the Tribulation,
Rev 14:4
Larry Walker, Holman Bible Dictionary

7. New Testament Spiritual Application
When You Offer God First Place in Your Conduct,
He Uses it to Bring Others to Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NIV2011) 31 So whether
you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for
the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to
stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of
God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every
way. For I am not seeking my own good but the
good of many, so that they may be saved.
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8. When You Offer God First Place in Your Your
Heavenly Pursuits, He Takes Care of Your
Earthly Needs.
Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV2011) 31 So do not worry,
saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we
drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the
pagans run after all these things, and your
heavenly Father knows that you need them.
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9. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
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10. When You Offer God First Place in Your Body and
Mind, He Teaches You the Wisdom of His Will.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV2011) 1 Therefore, I urge you,
brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to
offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your true and proper
worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.
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11. Romans 6:12-14 (NIV2011) 12 Therefore do not
let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey
its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of
yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but
rather offer yourselves to God as those who have
been brought from death to life; and offer every
part of yourself to him as an instrument of
righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your
master, because you are not under the law, but
under grace.
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12. When You Have Given Your “Lastfruits,” It Has
Become a Firstfruit Which God Will Bless.
Mark 12:41-44 (NIV2011) 41 Jesus sat down
opposite the place where the offerings were put
and watched the crowd putting their money into
the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in
large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put
in two very small copper coins, worth only a few
cents.
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13. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I
tell you, this poor widow has put more into the
treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out
of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in
everything—all she had to live on.”
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15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE3-BQsg8tA 15