Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Last Sunday morning a man brought a bag of fruit and laid it on the floor by the pulpit at the front of church. Last Sunday night, someone left a bag of bananas at the altar. Last night, another man brought a Papaya and left it at the altar as the others had done.
This time, however, at the end of the service, Pastor explained. These are “first fruits offerings”. These families have brought to the Lord the literal first fruits of their crop as an acknowledgement of their dependence upon and thankfulness to God. After the service, the offerings are used to supplement the pastor’s groceries, or given away as he deems best.
It struck me as odd that this is the first time I have ever seen those verses lived out in this way. What a wonderful reminder to give God the first, the best, in EVERYTHING. It is the least we can do to show our gratefulness for all He has done for us.
What are some of the ways you publicly express your gratefulness to God?