Exodus 23:19a
“You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God…”
It appears that a high percentage of hebrews were farmers. Even if it wasn’t their main craft, it seems that some of their land was for farming.
Because they are children of Abraham, they have entered into a covenant. God brought this to a new level by the dramatic deliverance from Egypt. God is communicating through Moses what is required of them. They were to give a portion of their crops.
We typically want to keep the best for ourselves. However, this verse says we are to bring the choice first fruits. We are to give our best to Him. We are to give our best in all areas: finances, time, attitude and more.
We are all built differently, so some areas will be more difficult for others. I have an over active conscience, so I’ll try to meet my quota, so I don’t have to be haunted with guilt. My danger is becoming like a smug legalist who is pleased with himself. Others have different constitutions which affect their actions. God knows us all and works with us accordingly.
Some have a very difficult time giving money. They may be cautioned by those who have misused those gifts. However, God doesn’t excuse them. They still should give. There are many benefits to giving. Something about our character improves when we are able to be trusting and generous with our finances. It’s almost as if we all have this latent toxin within. Being generous is a way to dispell it from us.
We all have within us a drive to acquire for ourselves. I think of kids chasing pinata candy at a birthday party. As we get older, we get more civilized, so we don’t scramble about and push others out of the way. But anxiety arrises if we feel we aren’t getting what we deserve. Giving and being generous calms this part of us.
Jesus addressed this in Luke 14 in the parable of the guests. We aren’t to take the highest seat at the table. Otherwise we might be demoted. If we take the lesser seat, we will be promoted. This doesn’t mean we never promote ourselves. We need to be careful of the selfish drive that will do so at the expense of others. Generously giving up the best seat further dispells the selfish toxin.
God knows what He’s doing by asking us to give. We enter a new level by being generous. Lord, help us to not yeild to our anxiety which is opposed to faith. Help us to give, rest and trust in You.