First Fruits
The biblical principle of first fruits relates to quality olives for oil and being crushed to produce the best oil for our lamp in a deeply symbolic and spiritual way.
The Best of the Offering
In the Bible, the concept of first fruits is about offering the best and first portion of a harvest to God as an act of faith, gratitude, and devotion (Exodus 23:19, Proverbs 3:9). Just as the Israelites were commanded to bring the first and best of their crops, including olives, this principle can be applied spiritually—offering our best efforts, time, and devotion to God.
Olives & Oil in Scripture
Olives are frequently used as a metaphor for spiritual life in Scripture. To produce the finest olive oil—especially for lamps in the temple (Exodus 27:20)—olives had to be crushed through a careful process. This crushing represents:
- Purification – Only the purest oil from the first pressing was used in the temple lamp, symbolizing a heart fully devoted to God.
- Suffering and Refinement – Just as olives are crushed to release oil, believers often go through trials and hardships to bring out their greatest spiritual potential (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
- Anointing and Light – Olive oil was used for anointing (1 Samuel 16:13) and for keeping the lamp burning (Matthew 25:1-13), signifying the Holy Spirit’s presence and the need to be spiritually prepared.
Crushing for the Best Oil in Our Lamp
Jesus Himself was pressed like an olive in Gethsemane (which means "oil press"), showing how suffering produces the greatest spiritual fruit. Likewise, our personal trials and sacrifices refine us and allow us to shine brightly, just as crushed olives produce the purest oil for a lamp.
This imagery invites us to embrace the refining process, knowing that our struggles produce the best oil to keep our spiritual lamps burning for God.
Humility
Tearing down strongholds begins with understanding the foundation of obedience and faithfulness. The saints proclaim, "Joy is worth attaining!" Those walking in boldness, with the strength of the Holy Spirit, understand this deeply.
Some dismiss the personal and sacred act of giving, presenting a false dilemma: salvation by faith is what we believe. Some avoid discussing obedience. The Saints proclaim, "There is Joy in Obedience." Some present a flawed approach which creates a forced duality thus producing a man-made hurdle for the new believer. Jesus came to abolish that. Under this false diachomity, the new beliver is then set upon a tighrope, but Jesus does not see our behavior the way we see our own behavior. Jesus accepts us anyway; His fatherly goodness is rich; He desires to shower His childern with His blessings. Paul himself, who championed salvation by grace alone, also emphasized the importance of generosity and obedience in faith. Additionally, the fallacy of this forced duality leads to unnecessary conflict within the body, when in reality Jesus accepts all walks. Now, granted, Jesus was not a, "you do you boo," type of guy, but he did not come for the self-righteous, but for the lowly in heart, those humble towards God. Giving originates from obedience and faithfulness; Obedience compels our heart towards the shoreline. The saints proclaim, "abundant joy is achievable from obedience and faithfullness to God, and He is generous with those who come to Him without joy, who are low in heart, quietly doing His work.
Freedom
The number seven holds deep biblical significance—seven days of creation, seven feasts, seven “I Am” statements, and seven miraculous signs in the Gospel of John. Likewise, Paul wrote letters to seven churches: Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica. These churches, each with their unique struggles, serve as a lesson to believers today.
Paul’s earliest epistle was to the Galatians. In that region, he and Barnabas planted churches amid fierce opposition. In Lystra, Paul healed a man lame from birth, demonstrating the power of faith. Yet, radical unbelievers stirred up riots, stoning Paul and dragging his body outside the city, assuming he was dead. Miraculously, Paul got up and continued his mission, undeterred by persecution.
The Galatian church was plagued by false teachings claims that obedience to the Law was necessary for salvation. Paul’s letter to them was clear: “We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16). Yet, while salvation is by grace alone, Paul also reminded believers of their call to faithfulness and obedience: “For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
Obedience
Giving is an act of obedience. When you give out of obedience you are demonstrating faith in terms how you give, that is, not letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing. In this we find rich rewards.
False teachers avoid discussing obedience, this leaves new believers stranded and left yoked to slavery, Freedom remains unrealized, but Jesus set us free! False teachers preach a new-age "what's in it for me" mindset, which lacks the humility rooted in obedience and faithfulness. Matthew teaches us to not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. We must even exercise discernment within ourself; We must also walk in continious prayer. Just as Paul encouraged early churches to give, believers today must also recognize the sanctity of their first fruits. Giving is not merely about money; it encompasses time, resources, and service. Paul rebuked the Corinthian troublemakers for their showmanship giving. Likewise, in modern churches, some have turned tithes into a means of profiteering, while others distort giving into the false doctrine of karma. Furthermore, some have turned to giving into using their giving for virtue signaling.
The truth is that joy comes from obedience. It is a challenging path but one with immense rewards. The Holy Spirit leads us in our giving, and we must listen. However, Scripture teaches otherwise: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). True giving is not performative; Giving in Secret is a sacred covenant between each of us individually, and the creator of the universe.
Joy
Paul’s journey shows that walking with Jesus brings healing—physically, mentally, and spiritually. As cellular mitosis renews our bodies, so too does faith regenerate our souls. Christ heals and restores us, offering peace of mind and protection. But some flaunt their spiritual immunity, leaving behind those who struggle. Jesus’ message is for all, not some. At the same time, Jesus didn't just say, "You do you boo."
The early church understood this. They faced hardships, yet their faith grew. Today, as a congregation, we must prepare to receive those who are spiritually ill. Many healings will take place, and many will find joy in the light of Christ. As we approach a new season, we must ensure that our lamps remain trimmed and stocked, ready to shine brightly in a world that desperately needs His light; Joy compels us.
Beware !!
Modern intellictualism disproves tithing; Why give 10% when you can give 100%? Jesus, wants it all and if we give our all to Him, he is consistant and faithful to always give back more that plenty for our needs each day. We live in a convienience-filled society with advertisting-driven marketing and broadcast mixed-media messages demanding our attention every moment, but that does not mean we have to accept this as our reality. Instead, we can accept Jesus into our hearts so that He invites us to step into His reality instead where we are are His hands and His feet. He sees all, and He died, so that His children could be healed and live for Him and in turn do much good in the world, thus creating a beautiful place to live, which we call Earth, being that mostly flat, on average, solid dirt and rock, with oceans beyond in plenty and walls of ice behind that, and that the starts and other objects in space, tell a story, of a time when Elon launched Spacelink. Beyond that, are greek and roman "myth" they'll call it. Tithing is not a myth, giving of yourself requires discipline and it is does not come natural for most folks. In fact, for most folks, it is quite more the life-long lesson and process of becoming more like Him.
Unfortunately, large donors have largely controlled the message from the pulpit and have used their giving as social leverage over his neighbor. In this way the Christian is charged with using his gifts against his neighbor. We do in fact, tend to misuse our gifts if we are hurting ourselfs. It is true, that we continually need Jesus at all times; We will proclaim the name of Jesus, how wonderfully in love He is with His children at all times. We are called to share this light with others, but if we do not walk with Him, at all times, our gifts can become misused and this can hurt others, so we must take care to walk upright and according to what God has called us to be.
Proverbs 3:10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Giving is grounded in obedience. Take care not to create a roadblock for new belivers, or to become your neighbor's harshest critic.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God
Outline:
- Walking in Humility
- Judging Justly
- Loving Mercy
“Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually.” — Leviticus 24:2
Oil is essential for a lamp to burn, just as the Holy Spirit and personal sacrifice are essential for a life that shines with the light of Christ (Matthew 5:16). But oil does not come without pressing—something must be crushed. In the same way, for our faith to shine brightly, self-will must be broken.
Jesus said, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light” (Matthew 10:27), and “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:15). Our confession of faith is meant to be visible, illuminating the world with the truth of Christ. However, if I claim to follow Jesus, my life must align with His example.
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” — 1 Peter 2:21-23
If I am to follow in His footsteps, then when I am reviled, I must not revile in return. But this is not easy; it requires something within me to be crushed—my pride, my self-will, my desire for personal honor. Jesus Himself, though equal with God, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-8). If I am unwilling to let go of my own rights and desires, my lamp will not shine.
Yet, when self-will is surrendered, when the pressing of trials produces the pure oil of humility and obedience, the light of Christ shines through me. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Just as crushed olives produce oil for the lamp, a crushed will produces the light of Christ in us.
Do not be like the five foolish virgins who were unprepared. Step into the joy of the Lord, and walk in the strength of His Spirit.
Romans 2:28-29
For he is not an outward Jew, one which is one outwardly; Neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is an inward Jew, one which is one inwardly; Circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter.
Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise, therefore, the foreskin of your heart, and be not stiffnecked.