“Present a cake from the first of the flour you grind, and set it aside as a sacred offering, as you do with the first grain from the threshing floor” (Numbers 15:20 NLT).

FIRST GIFTS FROM FIRST FRUITS

As the Lord gave the people of Israel all that they needed to live, He instructed them to make an offering of the first part of a new harvest. Even as they made the first cake from the newly ground flour, they were to offer the first cake to the Lord as a sacred offering. In this way, the people of God were to express the priority of their love for God and their gratitude for His provision. First gifts from their first fruits were sacred to the Lord.

How can we express our love to the Lord with first priority today? How does the principle of first gifts from first fruits inform our expression of love and gratitude to our God?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we are so quick to complain and to forget Your provision. Forgive us. We repent of our ingratitude and lukewarm love. We freely offer the first part of our time, talent and treasure to You. For You are all in all to us. The first day of the week, the first part of the day, the first portion of our income, the first part of our hearts… these and more, we offer to You. Lead and guide us, O Lord. Show us what You want to do in and through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.