Importance of Giving The First Fruits to God
December 31, 2019
Commentary
The people recognized the importance of supporting the worship of the temple (vv. 32-39). This was a part of obedience to God’s law. They recognized the need of financially supporting the continuing services of the temple (v. 32). This offering was to be used in taking care of the general expenses of the Temple. The people also needed to relearn the importance of dedicating the first fruits of their yield to God. Nehemiah was simply restarting the practice from the early days of the nation (Ex. 13:1,2). Although this principle is not a New Testament requirement, the concept of giving God the first portion of our time, treasure and talent is still a valid principle.
After the people had brought their tithes, then the Levites brought all the tithes to the temple (Mal. 3:8-12). Tithing was the minimum basis for giving to God in the Old Testament. In the New Testament we are to give as God prospers us which should be at least as much as the Old Testament required. A tenth of what the Levites received went to the priests for their support.
The principle at work was to ensure that god’s work was supported by God’s people and His workers were to be cared for. The people recognized the importance of their loyalty and support of the Temple worship. They were determined to not let down in their commitment. We as New Testament Christians need to feel the same obligation to the work of God.
Application
A question I need to ask myself is: On a scale of 1-10, do I give God my first and best or merely what is left over?
Nehemiah 10:32– 39 (NET)
32 We accept responsibility for fulfilling the commands to give one third of a shekel each year for the work of the temple of our God, 33 for the loaves of presentation and for the regular grain offerings and regular burnt offerings, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the appointed meetings, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the temple of our God.
34 “We—the priests, the Levites, and the people—have cast lots concerning the wood offerings, to bring them to the temple of our God according to our families at the designated times year by year to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as is written in the law. 35 We also accept responsibility for bringing the firstfruits of our land and the firstfruits of every fruit tree year by year to the temple of the Lord. 36 We also accept responsibility, as is written in the law, for bringing the firstborn of our sons and our cattle and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks to the temple of our God, to the priests who are ministering in the temple of our God. 37 We will also bring the first of our coarse meal, of our contributions, of the fruit of every tree, of new wine, and of olive oil to the priests at the storerooms of the temple of our God, along with a tenth of the produce of our land to the Levites, for the Levites are the ones who collect the tithes in all the cities where we work. 38 A priest of Aaron’s line will be with the Levites when the Levites collect the tithes, and the Levites will bring up a tenth of the tithes to the temple of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury. 39 The Israelites and the Levites will bring the contribution of the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil to the storerooms where the utensils of the sanctuary are kept, and where the priests who minister stay, along with the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the temple of our God.”