For more information related to this topic, check out Bob Yandian’s Feasts of Israel and Entering the Land of Abundance teaching series.

Also, you may review past related articles from the Real Answers website:

…Is tithing required for New Testament saints?
To find the answer to this question, click the link below:
http://www.realanswers.tv/answers/answers11.html

Where should a senior pastor pay his tithes?
To find the answer to this question, click the link below:
http://www.realanswers.tv/answers/answers07.html

The Purpose of “The Law”

I will first address the purpose of the Law in an attempt to bring us to a better understanding of the difference between first fruits and the tithe.

We do not live under the Law of the Old Testament. It is not biblically sound for us to look to sections of the Law and emphasize those portions we think should apply to us today. As Paul states in Galatians 5:3–4, “For I testify to every man that is circumcised (as a matter of obtaining righteousness through the Law), that he is [become in effect] a debtor to the whole Law,  4) for you who are justified by Law have rendered meaningless the effect of Christ; you have fallen from grace.” Basically said, “If you want to keep one point of the Law, you have to keep it all, and in so doing you have declared Christ’s work useless—you have denied God’s offer of grace through Jesus Christ.” That’s some pretty strong stuff!

The Old Testament must be “used” in a right manner, especially the sections called “the Law.” God, Himself, has not changed, but the manner in which He deals with and relates to mankind has changed. We live in the dispensation of grace and faith.. This is established over and over in the New Testament writings. Through God’s offer of grace, we respond in faith, and thereby receive the promise He has offered—eternal life, righteousness, peace, acceptance, blessing, etc.

Many preaching on the biblical subject of giving have erroneously used Old Testament Law to establish a New Testament action. Preachers / teachers seem to constantly be discovering “new formulas” that can be used to “motivate” believers to give. These “principles / steps / keys” are often filled with some degree of “judgment” for not obeying and promises of some blessing for those who apply them. The Old Testament Law gives them ample opportunity to find these “gems.”

However, the Apostle Paul is quite clear on the purpose of the Old Testament Law and its place in teaching New Testament believers. Consistently, he shows the Law to be a teacher, showing mankind his sinfulness, his inability to “fix” himself, and his need for a Redeemer / Messiah —a substitute who would take man’s place. Through the ritual of sacrifices and offerings the Law showed that this Messiah would remove all sin from mankind and fulfill God’s demands of righteousness and holiness.

The fact that offerings had to made repeatedly, and the priests were required to first offer sacrifices for their own sins (a result of their humanity) before offering sacrifices for the sins of the people, the Law declared that faith in this promised Messiah was the only means of salvation—the reality of man obtaining righteousness with God. This is the principal subject of the books of Galatians and Hebrews, and of Romans 2-8 and Colossians 1-2.

The Law was not to become a smorgasbord of principles that can be applied to the lives of New Testament believers. Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Nothing less than absolute obedience of a man could satisfy the Law to result in God’s righteousness. Our only hope of attaining this level of righteousness is “in Christ—in Him / through Christ—through Him.” These “in Him” realities are essential to our understanding of the rights and privileges of the believer. Paul’s letters to the Romans, the Ephesians, the Colossians, and the Galatians are filled with references to this subject. It is only because of what Christ did, and because of our righteousness in Him that we are accepted by God. The Law revealed what God desired and man’s inability to live in complete obedience to the Law to obtain God’s righteousness. Jesus Christ identified with our plight, fulfilled all that God demanded, and removed the barrier between God and man. Our faith in His redeeming work brings us salvation.

The “Tithe” and NT Believers

The tithe was established after the pattern of Abraham’s (Abram) voluntary response to God’s blessing through Melchizedek. When this priest of the Most High God pronounced the blessing of God upon Abram, he (Abraham) gave him (Melchizedek) tithes of all the spoil he (Abraham) had claimed from the defeat of Chedorlaomer. Abram could have given Melchizedek any amount, even all of the spoils, but he decided that ten percent (a tithe) was what he would give. We don’t know for a fact, but surely this was repeated many times during Abraham’s life. It was significant enough that it became a pattern that was later followed by Isaac and Jacob. And, it is this free-will giving of the tithe that was referred to in Hebrews 7:4–10. Notice, however, the contrast between verses 4and 5: Abraham “gave tithes [to Melchizedek],” whereas the priesthood of Levi was commanded to “take tithes from the people.” This contrast is an excellent illustratation of the difference between the Old Testament law of tithing and the New Testament grace of giving. What Abraham gave to Melchizedek as a demonstration of his gratitude to God became a debt when the Law was given through Moses.

Some may consider the words insignificant, or simply a matter of semantics, but the Bible is clear on the fact that under the Law tithing was an obligation accompanied with blessings for obedience and a curse for disobedience, whereas in the New Testament tithing/giving is freewill decision accompanied with blessings of reward.

Under the Law there was no option—the tithe was “taken,’ it was “collected,’ it was “paid.” Under grace we are to give as we desire. Consider:

1 Corinthians 16:2:
On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he is given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come.

Ephesians 4:28:
Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.

1 Timothy 6:17:
Charge the rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, [the One] offering to us richly all things to enjoy,  18)  that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to share, to be generous,   19)  laying up in store for themselves as a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

2 Corinthians 9:6: 
But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.  7)  Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.  8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;  9)  As it is written, "He scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever."

These are just a few references, but they present my point well. We give because it is our desire. We give to honor God, to help those in need, to further the work of the ministry. But, it is our decision—our desire. When we realize how greatly we have been blessed by God (in all dimensions, not just financially), our response should be to give back to him in any and every way we can. There is no basic requirement—neither is there a limit! It is all free will: As much as you want; as much as you can, as often as possible!

The Law of the tithe was established by God as a demonstration that the people were obligated to God for all that He had given to them. It was, in one sense, a religious tax given to support the priesthood and the operation of the tabernacle/temple. The requirements were filled with intricate details—the tithe of the livestock; the first and second year tithe; the third year tithe; redeeming the tithe; the High Priest’s tithe; and so on. All of this was to say, “You are obligated to be grateful to me!” It was a debt, and to refuse to “pay” it was to “steal” from God. But, that was the Law. Galatians 3:24 tells us: “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” All of the Law was to be treated as a unit, and its purpose was not to establish righteousness through a person’s obedience, but to frustrate him to the place of calling for a redeemer who would deliver him from the bondage of the Law.

Galatians 3:21–23:
For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

The law of the tithe was exactly that. The Law itself was a debt that could not be paid. The tithes were a further extension of the same. What to Abraham was a free and generous display of gratitude became a burden of debt.
So, what about the New Testament believer? We are set free from the burden/bondage of the Law to serve God in freedom and joy. Consider:

Galatians 3:13:
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"—14  in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Romans 10:4:
For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness [right relationship to God] for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him. (Amplified)

Can we tithe? Sure! Abraham did so as a gift of gratitude. We’ve been redeemed by God’s great grace—that’s all the reason we need to give freely, abundantly, joyfully. Should we tithe? Yes, certainly! Isaac and Jacob both continued the pattern established by Abraham as a means of offering gratitude to God’s goodness. When we consider all we have received from his great love, giving a portion of our income becomes a means of showing God our thanks, and demonstrating to the world (and ourselves) that God is our source—not them. And, of course, it is the way we finance the ministries who are reaching the lost, teaching and strengthening the believers, and helping the needy.

What Are the Firstfruits?

Okay, so what about the “firstfruits”? The Law included numerous ordinances and directions regarding the issue of “firstfruits.” This subject also included all the laws/ordinances regarding the “firstborn” both of mankind and animals. Even more than the tithe, this section of the Law was very intricate—there were many issues over which the priests were overseers, leading to a very large body of “oral interpretations and regulations.” This led, in turn, to much confusion among the people, and many abuses and excesses.

There are teachers today who are calling for the believers to not only give their tithe to God, but also bring their firstfruits. They teach that the tithe is “owed,” but the firstfruits are “given.” Tithing only pays our obligation to God, but if a person really wants to prosper they must also bring the firstfruits. There are numerous ways the giving of firstfruits is to be practiced and various interpretations of the blessings that result.

Yet, a careful study of the Old Testament regarding this issue will reveal that the purpose of the firstfruits was not to release prosperity for the people, but to serve as a reminder that the people needed a Redeemer—and that this Redeemer was to be set apart for God’s purpose alone. The first child, calf, lamb, harvest of grain, fruit on the vines/trees, city of conquest (Jericho), belonged to God—it was a type of the Redeemer that would come. Some things could not be given as a sacrifice (a child, an “unclean” animal, a blemished “clean” animal, etc.), so a system of redemption was established to cover that which could not be sacrificed to the Lord.

The practices established in the Old Testament were to serve as a “type / shadow” of the Messiah for the people. Mankind was unclean—tainted by the sin of Adam. He could do nothing to change his nature, and thereby, needed someone to redeem him. The first born of the “clean” animals served this purpose, they were the substitute—even man’s death could not pay the price for his own sin. The “first born” of the unclean animals stood as a type of man himself—not acceptable to God, yet owing all to God. They could not be “offered.” They had to be redeemed. The firstfruits of the ground, the vines, and the trees were a type of the need for all the earth to be redeemed from the effect of Adam’s sin—the curse upon the ground.
None of this had to do with releasing prosperity or material blessing upon the ones who offered them. Yes, certainly, there was a blessing for obeying the Law, but that was obeying ALL of it, not just some sections. Under the Law if the person giving did not keep all other sections of the Law, they could not expect to be blessed just because they paid tithes and gave firstfruits. These firstfruits were only a reminder of the debt mankind had to God—man owed God his life.

No one would have better understood the many interpretations and nuances of these offerings than the Apostle Paul.

Yet, far from motivating or even suggesting that the believers offer firstfruits to receive a special blessing associated with them, Paul instructed believers that firstfruits were natural elements that served as a “shadow” of the real issue: Christ. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul corrects some of the error that was causing trouble within the church with these warnings about being put in bondage to the Law: (from the Amplified with my added comment)

Colossians 2:16: 
Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath (or offerings for that matter). 17)  Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the true body of it) belongs to Christ.
20)  If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world's crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism (through the completed work of Christ Jesus in removing your sin and bringing you to God), why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [such as] 21)  Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them], 22)  Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines. 23)  Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh. [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh]

Now, Paul was speaking of things which were much more “religious” in appearance than offering firstfruits (dietary restrictions, festivals, Sabbaths), but the issue is the same. All of the requirements of the Old Testament Law were temporary and external values—they had no eternal value, for they had to be offered over and over again, year after year. They only pointed to the One who would come—the One who would once-for-all offer Himself as the full payment of what God demanded and desired.

Hebrews 9:9–14: 
This [the pattern of worship established for the Tabernacle and the Temple which followed] is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper's conscience.  10)  They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of restoration.  
11)  Now the Messiah has appeared—the high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), 12)  He entered the holy of holies once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13)  For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify [only to] the purification of the flesh, 14)  how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?

Paul’s point here is similar to that in Colossians 2. The offerings and regulations that were practiced during the period of the Law, could not perfect the worshipper. They were only a shadow of what would be accomplished by the Messiah—Jesus Christ.
The final summation of the identity of firstfruits is found in 1 Corinthians 15:20–23:

20)  But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead, and He became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death].  21)  For since [it was] through a man that death [came into the world, it is] also through a Man that the resurrection of the dead [has come].  22)  For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive.  23)  But each in his own rank and turn: Christ [is] the firstfruits, then those who are Christ's at His coming.

All of the individual offerings and designations of “firstfruits” were typified in one great festival for the Nation: The Feast of Firstfruits. This was held in the spring, the day following the Sabbath after Passover. In the year Jesus was crucified, the Feast of Firstfruits occurred the third day following His death (the day of His resurrection!). On this day, the people were to go to the fields and gather a “wave offering” of the barley, the olives buds, the budding vines, etc. This was then lifted to the Lord as thefirstfruit offering. The offering was symbolic from God that as there were buds and sheaves of grain, there would be a full harvest in the summer/fall. This was a promise from God: “The first belongs to Me—I will bless you at the appointed time.”

This is a perfect picture/type of what Christ would do for mankind. The price of redemption had been paid at Passover. His resurrection was the evidence that there would be a harvest of believers at the appointed time—His Return. Christ is the firstfruits of all who will be raised from the dead. He was acceptable to God as the perfect One—acceptable in His birth, acceptable in His life, acceptable in His death, acceptable in His resurrection. And so, we will be acceptable in our resurrection also. His resurrection guarantees ours! As Christ was the firstfruits—so we will be the harvest at His coming.

Now, all of this having been said, firstfruits really has nothing to do with giving offerings to God. As believers, we are to give as liberally as we can—not just ten percent, but generously, joyfully, abundantly. Our giving should be a measure of our gratitude to the God for our redemption and the One who provides all things for life and godliness—not because we are obligated, but because we desire to. And, as we give, God will return back to us so we can continue to give and bless His Church—His people—His work. Here are some New Testament passages dealing with the principles of giving under grace and the blessing we receive in return.

Roman 12:3; 15:24–27; 1 Corinthians 9:1–15; 16:1–2; 2 Corinthians chapters 8 & 9 (all verses);
 Galatians 6:6–9; Ephesians 4:28; Philippians 1:5; 4:10–19; 1 Timothy 6:17–19; Hebrews 7:4–10
Especially focus on 2 Corinthians 9:9–15 from the NIV or another modern translation.

Geof W. Jackson, read bio
Director of the Grace School of Ministry/Director of Pastoral Care