While Collingwood’s AFL Grand Final win is but a passing memory and the Bathurst 60 year race has come to an end (‘Phew!’ I hear all the Ford fans sigh) – we can all look forward to 3 of the most exciting weeks leading into November.
Sunday 15 October – Baptisms
This Sunday we are having 4 people baptised. How wonderful is that! Pastor Matt and Cam will be sharing the word. What a great time to share with family, brothers and sisters committing their lives to Jesus! What a celebration! Please pray for them, and for others to come to Jesus.
Sunday 22 October – Heart of Worship
Pastor Matt is going to be sharing on a true heart of worship. How our praise can turn situations around when we lift up Jesus. And just how broad and wide worship is – not just songs – but a lifestyle of yieldedness before our King and saviour Jesus. Be expectant for a breakthrough in your life.
Sunday 29 October – Harvest Giving
Harvest Giving Sunday. We would like to invite every member of Genesis Church to spend some time in prayer these next few weeks and come to pledge or commit to sow a specific financial amount into this next season generously and with great joy. As Pastor Matt said recently, “We are a generous church.” Harvest Giving Sunday is a first-fruits giving church service where we all get to step out in faith and generosity to sow into this next season. Pastor Matt believes something will break over our church this weekend. “There’s something powerful that happens when we step out in faith. It happens inside of us. Our hope and faith is increased. Our love for Jesus goes to another level because we are saying that Jesus comes first! Money doesn’t have a hold on us. Seeking first his kingdom is our greatest joy!”
Weekly Prayer Meeting – it’s happening!
Our house is a house of prayer! We are a praying Church! Come every Wednesday night at 7.30PM for a corporate time of prayer with one another! Let’s press in!
A short excerpt from…
A Short Guide To Understand First Fruits Offerings
First fruits may be mentioned when pastors talk about giving or generosity. But what exactly does it mean? And why is it good to know for the average church-goer?
What is first fruits in the Bible?
“When you come into the land which I give you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest.” —Leviticus 23:10
The concept of first fruits is rooted in biblical times when people lived in an agrarian (farming) society. Harvest time was significant because that was when the hard work the farmers had poured into their crops all year began to pay off. They were literally reaping what they sowed.
God called his people to bring the first yield—the first fruits—from their harvest to him as an offering. This was to demonstrate the Israelites’ obedience and reverence for God. It also showed that they trusted God to provide enough crops to feed their family.
We no longer live in an agrarian-based society. Most people reading this are probably not farmers. You likely don’t worry about harvest time or giving away the first yield of your crops.
But the idea of first fruits is still relevant—it just takes on a new meaning for us.
First fruits in the Bible
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” —Proverbs 3:9
We see the term first fruits initially mentioned in the book of Exodus when Moses is leading God’s people out of captivity in Egypt. God instructed the Israelites to give up the first of their crops so that they could understand the value of God’s blessings.
In the New Testament, the term first fruits takes on a symbolic meaning. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul mentions Christ as the “first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” Jesus was God’s first fruits—his one and only son, and the best that humanity had to offer. God gave Jesus, who was raised from the dead, up for us, in the same way that we sacrifice the best we have for him.
What started as a specific instruction for bringing crops to the temple priest was expanded on later in Scripture. It no longer refers to literal fruit—firstfruits means any income, wealth, or blessings that a Christian has received over the course of the year, or season (period of time).
Difference between first fruits and tithing
“The first of all first fruits of every kind and every contribution of every kind, from all your contributions, shall be for the priests: you shall also give to the priest the first of your dough to cause a blessing to rest on your house.” —Ezekiel 44:30
To give a tithe means that you give a tenth of your income to your church. Tithes are generally given throughout the entire year. Tithes are meant to be given in an automatic sense of obedience after you receive your income–e.g., paycheck, commission, bonus.
A First fruits offering is something different.
First fruit offerings are typically an annual gift to the church done at “harvest time.” Because we’re not actually harvesting crops, the harvest can mean different things to different people. Perhaps you just got a bonus at work. Maybe you just received a huge tax refund check. Maybe you saved 15% or more on car insurance.
These are all harvest time moments when your hard work paid off. These are also great opportunities to turn back to God in gratitude for the blessings.
Whenever you decide to make a first fruit offering, the important thing is that you do it freely, with no guilt or obligation. This is supposed to be a celebration of all that God has done for you. It’s a kind of worship that you can use to support the work of others. A first fruit offering is our opportunity to give above and beyond just a regular tithe.
Why giving first fruits is important
Giving of our first fruits reminds us that God is our ultimate priority. It shows God that we are obedient to him and we can be trusted with more. Perhaps most importantly, being generous in this way shows that we are grateful for all God has given to us.
How to give a first fruits offering
“If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.” —Romans 11:16
What does this practically look like? How do you determine how, when, and how much you should give as a firstfruit offering? This is going to look different for every person and each season. But here are a few steps you can take to help you get started in the right direction:
- Pray: If your goal is obedience to God, it only makes sense that you would first go to him in prayer. Ask him what you should do with your money and resources. Listen to what he says.
- Prepare: God calls us to be good stewards of the blessings he gives us. That means knowing what we’re able to give and when. Have a plan in place for your offering. Approach each harvest time with an open mind and a generous heart.
- Prioritize: The whole idea behind a first fruit gift is to put God first. That may be donating your first pay cheque of the year to the church. It may mean that you put this donation first in your budget. Just make sure that you’re prioritizing God in your finances.
- Give: Know where and when you are going to give the money. It also helps to know the amount you’ll give.
- Repeat: How often do you want to give a first fruit offering? This was traditionally an annual practice, but you can give as often as you’d like. Making it a part of your routine will help keep it a priority, not something you do spontaneously or sporadically.
However you give, the key thing is that you’re giving with an open heart and mind. The process of giving above your normal tithe can help prepare you for God to make a difference in your life. Making a first fruit offering demonstrates obedience to God, rather than your money.