First Fruits

Numbers 7:10–11
"When the altar was anointed, the leaders brought their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. For the Lord had said to Moses, "Each day one leader is to bring his offering for the dedication of the altar."

It may be tempting to feel really lavish in our offerings when one reads such passages. Perhaps the Israelites from every tribe brought the very best of things such as plates of pure gold, the finest of incense, and the best of the flock. It is understandable and God deserves the best we can give, He is of ultimate worth after all. However, comparison with others will do us no good and sometimes it just nurtures the seeds of pride and envy. To this we must recall back from the time of Cain and Abel what kind of offering God is pleased with, and see that it isn't in the extravagance, but the heart of obedience and faithfulness. The book of Hebrews illuminates this for us, "by faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks (Heb 11:4)." God desires faithfulness in our offerings, He delights in our trusting in Him for provision: "Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on (Mark 12:43–44)." God also looks favourably at our repentance: "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psa 51:16–17)." In the end, God always looks at the heart, much deeper within and through the way things appear. Father God, we're putting You first in our lives and trust that you'll take care of the rest. In Jesus Christ's holy and eternal name. Amen.