Deuteronomy
chapter 26 discusses acknowledging God’s faithfulness in our lives
and specifically the “first fruits” of God’s promise. The
chapter begins, “When
you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you… and have
taken possession of it and settled in it, take some of the first
fruits of all that you produce from the soil… and put them in a
basket“.
This is a unique offering, not part of the regular giving, but an
offering of the first fruits of the Promised Land. The giver is to
take this offering to the priest and declare God’s faithfulness in
keeping His promises. He is to conclude with, “I
bring the first fruits of the soil that You, O Lord, have given me”
and then bow down before Him. “You
shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to
you and your household”.
It would seem that one of the main sources of joy in our lives comes
from recognizing the good things God has given us AND PRAISING HIM
FOR THEM. How many times has God been faithful to answer my prayers
with little notice from me? Are you missing this kind of joy in your
life? Follow this two-step process: recognize all the good things
God has given you, then bow down before Him in worship.
The
chapter then discusses the normal giving, “When
you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce…”
There was a special giving on the third year, which was for the
“Levite,
the alien, the fatherless, the widow, so they may eat in your towns
and be satisfied”.
It is hard to miss the fact that taking care of the needy was the
responsibility of believers. It is also clear that when people give
out of a desire to honor God there is always abundance. Under the
Law, the Jews were required to give a tenth of all they produced
along with additional gifts, offerings and sacrifices. As Christians
we are no longer commanded to give according the law, but out of
love. 2 Corinthians chapter 8 notes the rich generosity of believers
that experience “the
grace of giving“.
The apostle even explains we are not to give out of compulsion but
with “eager
willingness“.
“For
if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable“.
What is your attitude about giving?
In
this chapter the giver responds, “I
have done everything you commanded. Look down from heaven, Your holy
dwelling place, and bless Your people Israel and the land You have
given us as You promised on oath to our forefathers“.
We should remember to ask God to bless our nation as well! The
chapter ends with Moses exhorting the people to keep God’s
commandments. He explains, “The
Lord declared this day that you are His people, His treasured
possession… He will set you in praise, fame and honor high above
all nations… and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your
God as He promised“.
For anyone that doubts his worth, understand that the moment you
accepted Jesus as your Savior, you inherited this same promise. 1
Corinthians 6:19 remind us, “You
are not your own; you were bought at a price“.
Jesus purchased you by giving His life in your place. You are
worthy because God calls you His treasured possession. Believe it!