Lesson 45 The Blessing Of The Tribes And Death Of Moses

LESSON 42 FIRST FRUITS AND TITHES

Text: Deuteronomy 26:1-19

In our Bible passage, the Lord established the law of sacrificial giving of first fruits and tithes for the children of Israel. These laws are to seal up their covenant relationship with God and to pledge their total dependence and devotion to Him. God demands His children freely give to Him as a token of their love and gratitude for all He had done for them.

The main occupation of the people was agriculture and animal husbandry. Therefore, God commanded them to bring the first fruits of their harvest to the place which He had chosen. He thus promised to bless them as they obeyed. However, it is important to understand that the first thing that God expects from sinful boys and girls is the salvation of their souls. The heart of the sinner is the first fruit that he must humbly and willingly surrender unto the Lord.

Then he can become a member of God’s family and be qualified to offer acceptable offerings unto God.

1. COMMAND TO GIVE FIRST FRUITS UNTO GOD:

Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Exodus 23:16, 19; Leviticus 2:14; 23:10-12; Proverbs 3:9

God specifically commanded the children of Israel to give unto Him the first fruits from their farm produce. They were to take them to the place He had chosen for them to be kept. The Lord established the law of first fruits to enable the new generation of Israel to:

(i) show appreciation to God for His goodness as the Giver of all things.

(ii) thank God for delivering them from Egypt, the land of bondage, granting them answers to their numerous requests, protecting them from danger and making their land fruitful. The feast of first fruits could only be done after the Israelites had entered Canaan. Similarly, a child must be genuinely saved and become a new creature before he can offer acceptable sacrifice unto God.

The offer of your w heart for cleansing through the blood of Jesus is your first fruit. If you are still a sinner, God calls and commands you saying. “My son, give me your heart”

(i) Acknowledge that you are a sinner t (Romans 3:23)

(ii) Confess your sins to God and repent (1 John 1:9)

(iii) Ask God to wash your heart clean with the blood of Jesus

(iv) Ask Jesus to be your Friend. Believe that God has answered your prayers and praise Him for His mercies.

2. COMMITMENT AND FAITHFULNESS IN GIVING TITHES AND OFFERINGS:

Deuteronomy 26:12-15; 12:5-14; 2 Chronicles 31:12; Malachi 3:8-10.

The offering of tithes is one of the laws God gave the children of Israel to keep as a token of His covenant relationship with them. After you have surrendered your heart to Jesus and have become His friend, you are expected to obey God in giving your tithes and offerings. A tithe is one tenth (1) of the substance you received as gift or pocket money (not your school fees). Whatever you give above your tithes is offering. It is compulsory to pay our tithes in the church. Failure to do it amount to robbing God of what rightfully belongs to Him. The tithes are used to take care of God’s house, mission work, pay full- time workers, provide evangelism materials and other things that will promote God’s kingdom.Apart from our tithes, we are expected to give to the poor and needy, for special church projects like building worship centres and money for the day to-day running of the church premises.

Our giving must be done willingly. cheerfully and sacrificially with a trusting heart. God owns all things, whatever we have belongs to Him, we must use those things we possess to His own glory. This is the only way to receive more blessings from God.

3. CONDITIONAL BLESSINGS PROVIDED IN GOD’S PROMISE:

Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6,7.

In concluding the instructions about first fruits and the offering of tithes, Moses emphasised the crucial commandment to keep God’s laws, judgment and to do them with pure and sincere heart. Failure to do this will attract God’s punishment as was the case of Ananias and Sapphira. They were husband and wife who were members of the early church. They sold their land, then conspired to deceive the apostles by bringing a part of the proceed to the leaders of the church. They told lies that it was the whole money they realised from the sale of the land. They did not need to lie because nobody forced them to sell the land.

They could have simply owned up to the -fact that they kept part of the money for family upkeep. Their giving was not I acceptable because they lied. Children should not engage in playing game with God’s commandment. Do not use your tithes and offerings for biscuits, chocolates and other things for his yourself. Such acts will definitely attract God’s punishment. Be committed to giving your tithes fully and God will bless you.

The following are some of the blessings TH that the Lord has promised to shower tit on the obedient.

(i) You will become a peculiar person AC and will be greatly honoured.

(ii) You will have good success and pa become ten times better than your mates.
(iii) Abundance of all things (Proverbs 3:9,10)
(iv) The good treasures and windows of heaven will be opened unto you (Malachi 3:10).

(v) Freedom from curses, divine protection and care.

(vi) Grace to live a holy life.

QUESTIONS:

1. Who gave the law guiding the offering of first fruits and tithes?

2. What does first fruit mean?

3. The first fruit expected from a sinful child is his.

4. What is a tithe?

5. What are the blessings of giving our tithes and offerings?

MEMORY VERSE: “That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there” (Deuteronomy 26:2).

LESSON: Faithful giving will attract God’s blessings.

THOUGHT: I will obey God and give my tithes and offerings.

ACTIVITY: Make a vow to give for a specific church project. Pray on it and pay your vow.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 85- GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER

CHORUSES: (1) Give, it shall be given unto you (2) Abraham’s blessings are mine (3) All that I have, I give to Jesus.

HOMEWORK: Pray for grace to give your tithes and offering regularly, promptly and with a pure heart.

BIBLE WORDS SEARCH

Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.

1. First fruit 2. Tithe 3. Offering 4. Devotion 5. Faithfulness

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