First Fruit Offering

If we know God, we know that He, being the Creator of all, owns all of creation. The Israelites of the Old Testament ritually acknowledged this ownership by offering God the first produce their labor yielded. When they brought the first fruits to the altar, they acknowledged this ownership by offering the very first of it to God before consuming or selling any of it. This was an expression of trust and agreement of God’s sovereignty. If we believe God is the good provider of our bounty, we should be able to give Him the first of it and trust we will have enough left to meet our needs.

I often thought of this in the context of giving financially but was challenged to think about this in terms of another, arguably more precious commodity: time. God knows exactly how much time He has given each of us, and because He is a perfect and loving God, He has given us all the time we truly need to accomplish what He has required of us. Why does it often feel so hard to give God the time He has given me; To prioritize first in the day, time to pray and read His word?

It simply is untrue that in the span of most (or any) 24-hour period, I do not have a "first moment to myself", no matter how full a day. I am without excuse. "When we offer God the first fruits, or earliest moments, of each day, we are telling Him that we trust Him to guide us through our entire day... as soon as... [you] have a few moments of your own, offer those moments to the Lord." (Wendy Speake, How Overwhelmed Parents Can Find Time for God's Word). Examining my unwillingness to spend the first moments I have to myself hearing from my Father reveals the idols my heart holds. What is it that I use my first "free" moments doing most often? For example, when time intended to be spent in the Word is supplanted by my need to tidy up things I didn't get to the night before, this exposes my idol of outward neatness. I love a tidy environment, which is not wrong, but it is wrong to love a tidy environment more than hearing from God. When I choose to use the first moments of free time to clean I'm saying my fear of not getting that done for the day outweighs my fear and reverence of God, which Scripture tells us is foolish.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction." -Proverbs 1:7

Other times I want to use the first moments I have to myself to plan. I love planners, and sitting down to organize priorities, lists, and activities on paper. It focuses me, helps me to be realistic in time management, and gives me confidence that I am using my time well. But if I choose this as my top priority of the day, I know in my heart I am saying that I know better than God how to use my time and set my priorities.

"The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps."

-Proverbs 16:9

If I can only be characterized by one thing, I want it to be my absolute desperate love and longing for the Lord. As I challenge myself to consistently give God the first moments of each day that I have to myself, I hope you will join me in trusting our Wonderful Counselor to care for us and order our days.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33