Deuteronomy 26
Gratitude and faith.
The two go hand in hand and are exemplified in the presentation of firstfruits to the Lord. We take the beginnings of our harvest (whether a literal agricultural harvest or — for us, more likely — the monetary “fruit” of our labors) and we present that to the Lord in thanksgiving for all that He has already done for us, all the blessings He has already poured out on us. And we offer those firstfruits before we see the rest of the harvest, trusting that there will, in fact, be more to come.
If you are more inclined to give “lastfruits” — assessing what you have and begrudgingly tossing a few leftovers into the offering plate — then you are missing out. When it comes to our giving, it is not a matter of whether the Lord needs it. He doesn’t. He already owns everything. But He commands the giving of firstfruits because He knows that we need it. We need to develop those muscles of gratitude and faith, because our life is found in Him, and in Him alone.
So consider the example that we have here in the Lord’s command to Israel to offer firstfruits. Do likewise with gratitude and faith. You won’t regret it.