The First Fruits offering in the Bible was introduced as an offering tied to harvests and feasts. God ordered the offerings to remind the Israelites that the Lord provided for them and led them to the Promised Land.
Today, many Christians don’t think about first fruit offerings for a good reason. However, modern believers can still participate in offering first fruits if they choose.
In this article, we will explain the Biblical basis for the First Fruits offerings, discuss how the offerings were given, list examples of what that offering looked like and how we can participate in First Fruits offerings today, and then end with a look at the progression of thought between the Old and New Testaments regarding the first fruits.
First Fruit Offering Explained
“When you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it, take some of the first fruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name and say to the priest in office at the time, ‘I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to the land the LORD swore to our ancestors to give us.’”
Deuteronomy 26:1-3 (New International Version)
The First Fruits offering in the Bible refers to the practice of giving the first and best portion of a harvest to God as an act of worshipful acknowledgment of His provision to Israel in leading them to the Promised Land. This is an emphatic giving back to God, the first portion of what He gave, recognizing God as the primary owner of everything we obtain.
These offerings typically included the first of the Barley harvest, but corn, wheat, grapes, and even processed items such as bread and wine were also given as offerings when available. Animals were also offered, and children were included symbolically.
The idea of the First Fruits offering reinforced dependence on God and foreshadowed Christ’s resurrection, which we’ll discuss later in the article.
The “Feast of First Fruits” was the third annual feast in Israel. Israelites would grab several handfuls of their harvest and present them to the priests as their first fruits. There doesn’t seem to be a particular amount required other than to bring the best of one’s first fruits (Exodus 23:19).
The New Testament doesn’t specifically mandate a first fruits offering, and this offering differs from tithing in a couple of ways.
Nehemiah 10:35-39 differentiates the two. Tithing is giving 10% of all harvest or processed products to the temple priests. At the same time, the first fruits were a generalized amount, significant enough to be an offering but not consisting of a specific amount like the 10% tithe. Also, no crop could be eaten until the First Fruits were offered, while tithing came after the harvest.
When and How to Give First Fruit Offerings
“When you enter the land to which I am taking you and you eat the food of the land, present a portion as an offering to the LORD. Present a loaf from the first of your ground meal and present it as an offering from the threshing floor. Throughout the generations to come you are to give this offering to the LORD from the first of your ground meal.”
Numbers 15:18b-21 (New International Version)
Since First Fruit offerings are an additional offering separate from the tithe, this practice involves offering the first portion of one’s income, earnings, or gifts received throughout the year.
Here is a general overview of the process and timing:
When to Give First Fruits
First Fruit Offerings are given from the first of one’s income, earnings, or random gifts received throughout the year, so the timing of when to give is when received. Sometimes, this offering coincides with a feast, while other times, the offering comes randomly throughout the year as one obtains things.
First Fruits During Feasts
During feasts such as Passover, the harvest was just beginning. Offering the initial reaping was considered a celebration and an act of worship with the harvest providing its bounty. Initially, the Israelites were ordered to offer the First Fruits they produced when they entered the promised land. After that, the First Fruits became an offering attached to the harvest and were offered around the same time as the annual feasts.
How to Give First Fruits
The offering was made in addition to the tithe, signifying the dedication of the first and best portion of one’s resources to God. In the Old Testament, the First Fruits were offered to God and then given to the priests at the temple (Numbers 18:12). Any Israelite who wanted to bring First Fruits had to visit the temple to do so, where the Aaronite priests would oversee the ritual, and receive the offerings.
This First Fruit offering symbolizes gratitude and recognition of God’s provision, encouraging believers to give cheerfully and with a thankful heart. Even when they had to travel to the temple to offer their first fruits, that act showed their gratitude and determination to depend on God for all they were given.
Examples of First Fruits
“Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.”
Exodus 34:26 (New International Version)
The First Fruits offering is a collection of the best of a harvest or creative endeavor. The historical offerings will look a bit different for most of us today if church members keep up the practice. Here are a few examples of historical First Fruits and a few examples of First Fruits you can offer today.
Agricultural First Fruits
The initial yield of crops, such as grains and fruits, were often offered as First Fruits to dedicate the whole crop to God. This includes wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.
Determining the first yield of one’s harvest was the primary goal for the Israelites because the offering had to be the first and the best of the harvest. Many would have separated the best of the First Fruits from the initial harvest to give to the Lord. Only God and the individual knew if these offerings were genuinely adequate.
Animal First Fruits
All firstborn livestock, including both unclean and clean animals, were offered. Unclean animals were pigs, camels, rabbits, various birds, and insects, among others. Clean animals were ox, sheep, and goats, among others.
The firstborn livestock were presented as offerings to the temple as First Fruits, which were then redeemed monetarily if unclean. The firstborn of cows, sheep, and goats were sacrificed.
Children First Fruits
Firstborn children were offered as First Fruits and presented to God at the temple as offerings, signifying their dedication to God. Most of the time, these children were redeemed monetarily. None were sacrificed like clean animals, but a few may have been offered as priests.
These were the historical methods of offering First Fruits. The New Testament doesn’t require Christians to offer First Fruits, and we may be unable to do so like the early Israelites did.
However, the heart of the offering was expressed in giving the best of our first gains. Modern believers who feel like offering First Fruits can give along those lines to their church, missionaries, or others.
Here are a few ideas to offer modern-day First Fruits if you feel led to do so:
Donations to the Needy
If you create items such as food, clothing, or other tools or resources that may be helpful to people, consider giving a portion of new creations to the unhoused or others in need in the community. Assess the helpfulness of your offering before you commit to giving it to others. Barbers and others with similar skills could also donate their services to people in need.
Offer Your Expertise
Others with unique expertise, like attorneys, writers, marketers, etc., could consider volunteering with a Christian non-profit to help them overcome shortfalls and build processes that will benefit their services. Offering pro-bono help is valuable as a First Fruits offering.
Spend Time with Others
Your time and presence are equally valuable. Consider spending time with those who are overlooked by others. Find time to serve at a shelter where you can volunteer and get to know people different from you. Offering a smile and friendly conversation often means more to some than any monetary gift.
These are only a few ideas for offering First Fruits today. Examine your skills and look for opportunities to share them with others as an offering to God. Each one of us has something to offer God and others.
First Fruits in the Bible
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (New International Version)
The concept of First Fruits in the Bible is primarily an Old Testament practice; however, the New Testament references the symbolic nature of the ritual for Christians. Here are several passages where First Fruits are mentioned in the Bible, along with their significance.
Old Testament References
Exodus 23:15-19; 34:22-26
“Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.”In these passages, the Lord is setting up three annual festivals for the Israelites to follow as they enter the Promised Land. The First Fruit offering is ever present in these feasts as a way for the Israelites to remember how God has and will continue to provide for them through His renewed covenant with Israel.
Leviticus 2:14; 23:10–17
“If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire.” Like the Exodus passages above, these scripture references reveal more aspects of how the First Fruits were to be offered.
Numbers 15:20-21; 28:26-31
“Throughout the generations to come you are to give this offering to the LORD from the first of your ground meal.” The significance of these passages reveals that food made from grain should also be offered to the Lord as a First Fruits offering.
Deuteronomy 26:1–11
“On the day of firstfruits, when you present to the LORD an offering of new grain during the Festival of Weeks, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.” This passage explains the role of First Fruits offerings during the Festival of Weeks, showing how the offerings are part of a sacred event.
New Testament References
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
“Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” The New Testament equates Christ’s resurrection as the First Fruits of humankind to rise from the dead and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. As Christ has risen, we, too, will rise. This is a significant reference to the nature and symbolism of the first fruits offerings.
Romans 8:23
“And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.” This passage tells us we have the Holy Spirit as a First Fruits of what is to come. The Holy Spirit is our connection to Christ and the Father as we live now, the First Fruits of our eternal relationship with God that becomes reality when Christ returns and brings the fullness of the Kingdom of God to the world.
1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 16:5; James 1:18
“…they are the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to ministry to the saints.” Christians were generally recognized as the first fruits of what God is doing in the world. New believers are mentioned as the First Fruits of evangelistic efforts of the early church. Those who converted first in a town were celebrated as the First Fruits of what God was doing in the area.
All these passages reveal the progression of understanding that accompanied the concept of first fruits offerings from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Conclusion
Christians view First Fruits differently from Jewish believers due to Christ’s death and resurrection. Christ became our ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12-15, 26-28), removing the need for other sacrifices and offerings. We may give these types of offerings today as freewill offerings, like church fundraisers for example, but we are not compelled to do so because of Christ.
While we are exempt from the ritual of First Fruits offerings, there are ways we can engage with the concept by giving extra of our money, time, and resources. You may already tithe a portion of your income to the Lord, but consider giving more through service as a type of first fruits offering to the Lord. For more ideas on how to better serve your church, read through the other blog posts on the Church Giving website. You’ll find many relevant resources, from fundraising insights to church budgeting goals, that help church leaders manage their responsibilities best. Don’t leave without first taking a look at some of the other tips we have to offer.
