Hopefully, you’re aware of the concept of firstfruits. It’s mentioned throughout scripture. It’s the concept of giving God his portion before all else. We practice this in our marriage with our finances. Before the cable bill is paid or groceries are purchased, we set aside our tithe to God. It’s His. Scripture is peppered with examples of giving our LORD the firstfruits of our crops and harvest. In Deuteronomy 26:10a, while instructing the Israelites daily life after crossing the Jordan River and entering the Promised Land, Moses says, “…and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, LORD, have given me.” He’s teaching them to, before all else, give God what is His.
In the past couple of years, I’ve embraced the notion that I have more to offer in regards to firstfruits to God besides our family finances. It’s something I’ve always known about but had convinced myself I didn’t have the time to do it. It’s been the most rewarding and beneficial thing I have done in my spiritual life besides initially trusting God as my Savior. Over these past couple of years I’ve come to realize that I need to sacrifice my firstfruits of each day to Him. I need to give Him my time. In the part of Deuteronomy I referenced above Moses said that he is bringing the firstfruits of the soil that God has given him (emphasis mine). Has not our Savior given us each day as well? Likewise, if we look at time as something received from our Father, shouldn’t we look at that as an offering to God?
My daily desire is to start my day with our Father. Before the sun breaches the horizon and the traffic is noticeable on Central Avenue, I pour a fresh cup of Celebes and honor my Father with what he deserves and I need, focused time with God. I’ll spend time reading His Word. I’ll invest in a devotional book I have on my iPad. I’ll sit under a warm blanket and talk with God. There are some mornings I’ll stay there over an hour. Some mornings, the time is more abbreviated. Either way, my desire is to give him my firstfruits of time.
Those times with our God mean so much. To start my day talking with the God of the Universe sets my day up the best way I could ever imagine. Admittedly, there have been days where I’ve been so rushed in the mornings (if I woke up late or something else has happened) that I haven’t been able to spend time with the Author of Life. Those days are noticeably different. There is a vigor that comes when you start your day by giving it to Him.
“We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.” – Nehemiah 10:35 (NIV)
In a world of instant everything, it’s easy to be connected to everyone else before our feet break out from under the warm blankets onto the floor in the morning. Facebook, Twitter, email, texting, this-that-and-the-other-thing are great ways to connect with each other. I’ll raise my hand; I love connecting with friends and knowing what’s new in their lives. But before I spend time checking in with my friends, I need to check-in with the One who gave me this day.
Let me encourage you. Don’t believe the lie that you don’t have the time to do it. It’s not too difficult to start. Start by setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier. Create a pattern slowly. Over time start increasing your time to where you feel God leads.
