Daily Devotional · Deuteronomy 26:1–11
Bring the First, Not the Last
Reflection
When Israel entered the land and began to harvest, God instructed an offering of firstfruits — the very first of the harvest, brought in a basket to the priest. But the offering was accompanied by a declaration, a personal confession of faith: "My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, subjecting us to harsh labor. Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and the Lord heard our voice... He brought us out of Egypt... and gave us this land." The farmer stood before the priest, holding their first and best fruit, and recited the entire story of grace that led them there. The offering was not separated from the story — it was embedded in it. Every harvest was a reminder: this came from God's faithfulness, not from your own cleverness or the land's natural abundance. "Then you and the Levites and the foreigners among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household." Notice the widening circle: the offering was not just for the giver but for the Levite (the priest with no land inheritance) and the foreigner. Gratitude expressed through generosity extends to the community.
Background
The firstfruits offering is the theological background for Paul's description of Christ as "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20) and the Holy Spirit as a "firstfruits" deposit guaranteeing our full inheritance (Romans 8:23). The principle of firstfruits — the beginning as a pledge of the whole — runs throughout Scripture.
Truth
What you give first reveals what you trust most. Giving God the firstfruits is not just a financial principle — it is a theological declaration: my abundance comes from You, not from me. It is worship before harvest, not an afterthought after it.
Application
Consider how you allocate your time, money, and energy — do you give God the first portion or the remainder? Choose one area this week to practice firstfruits: give God the first hour of your day, the first portion of your paycheck, or the first response in a difficult situation.