PREACHING OF JANUARY 12, 2025:

Pastor Antonio Russo

DIVINE ECONOMY: THE FIRST FRUITS

This week, our worship service will focus on a fundamental theme of God's Word: "Divine Economy: The Firstfruits." This principle, deeply rooted in Scripture, calls us to put God first in every area of our lives. Recognizing God as the source of everything compels us to dedicate to Him our very best, not merely as a symbolic act but as a concrete gesture of faith and obedience. Firstfruits are not just an offering; they are also an opportunity to access a dimension of blessing and open the door to God's intervention in our lives. This year’s Rhema, "Line up," invites us to realign ourselves with God's will, rediscovering His plan and finding the lost path. The Holy Spirit is blowing a fresh wind, bringing profound changes and guiding us toward divine projects, requiring total surrender, just as happened with the apostle Peter, who was led by the Spirit to places he would not have chosen on his own. We too must stop resisting God's plan and surrender to His perfect will, confident that He desires our good. As this is the first service of the year, we celebrate the importance of firstfruits through a reflection on biblical economy. The Bible often speaks about money and economic resources central topics in daily life but invites us to consider them from God’s perspective, leaving behind any prejudice. Some years ago, during a time of prayer, the Pastor received a rebuke from the Holy Spirit, who revealed how his biases were preventing God's people from accessing His blessings. This encouragement to preach biblical truth without fear, even on delicate topics, brought profound change to his life and the community, allowing them to experience the fruit of the Word applied. Contrary to what is often thought, money is not inherently negative but a spiritual tool that, when used according to God’s will, can be a source of blessing. The Bible teaches that money is a great servant but a terrible master, and it is man’s responsibility to govern it, not the other way around. This shift in perspective allows us to align with divine principles, transforming our relationship with economic resources. The principle of firstfruits holds a central position in God's plan, responding to His desire to bless His children financially as well. Many testify that applying the principle of firstfruits has marked a financial turning point in their lives, allowing them to experience God’s faithfulness. Every year, firstfruits should be offered faithfully not as an obligation but as a personal choice, free from compulsion. Firstfruits are not a law but an act of faith that honors God and aligns us with His plan. This gesture, which should not be underestimated, opens the door to divine blessings and is a profound demonstration of trust in God. In the biblical context, firstfruits were offered to God as part of the harvest or animals, choosing the very best. For example, if a herd produced ten new animals in a year, a specific number of them were consecrated to the Lord. This principle emphasizes the importance of giving the firstfruits at the beginning of the harvest, never at the end, because they represent what is primary and a priority.

Romans 11:16; 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Offering the firstfruits means consecrating what is offered to God, making it holy and sanctifying everything that follows, ensuring His protection over all that belongs to Him. When we choose to put this principle into practice, unexpected expenses, such as sudden breakdowns or financial difficulties, become less frequent because the resources dedicated to God are protected, and this protection extends to all our possessions. Offering the firstfruits is a declaration of faith that demonstrates how one’s economy does not depend on earthly circumstances but on God. However, fully understanding this requires a change in mindset. Within the context of this practice, the combination of fasting, prayer, and firstfruits reflects what is described in the book of Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes 4:12; 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Fasting strengthens the spirit, prayer moves mountains, and firstfruits honor the Lord. Even Jesus, in Matthew chapter 6, at the beginning of His ministry, taught and practiced these three fundamental principles, finding in them a great source of strength. In the book of Proverbs, we read about a fundamental principle regarding firstfruits, a concept that God Himself teaches us.

Proverbs 3:9-10; 9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

This principle calls us to recognize God as the source of every blessing and to offer Him the best of what we have; it is not merely a ritual but a tangible response to God's grace and love, which invites us to generosity, trust, and obedience. Honor is a fundamental key to accessing divine blessings. To honor means to acknowledge the intrinsic value of someone or something a value that, according to Scripture, is not determined by human standards but by the sacrifice of Christ. Indeed, it is His blood that gives infinite value to every person. This principle is concretely expressed in how we treat others, as honoring means listening, respecting, and valuing with sincerity, avoiding superficiality and distractions. The Bible teaches that honoring one’s parents is a commandment with a promise:

Ephesians 6:2-3; 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

This demonstrates how honor brings tangible blessings, including longevity. A key element of honor is humility, because only those who recognize the value of others can truly honor them. Pride, on the other hand, leads to downfall, as reminded in Matthew 23:12: "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." This principle applies to every relationship: with God, with family, with members of the body of Christ, and with spiritual leaders. Honoring is not limited to words but is expressed through concrete actions, such as gestures of appreciation and gifts, representing a lifestyle that, for believers, is not optional but a divine calling. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Himself emphasizes the importance of honoring those who carry God’s message.

Matthew 10:40-41; 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

This demonstrates that honor is directly connected to a divine reward because honoring a prophet or a righteous person leads to receiving a blessing proportional to the honor shown. However, honor must be spontaneous and sincere, not imposed or demanded, as we cannot force others to honor us; it must come from the heart, reflecting the character of God. As believers, we must learn to respect, appreciate, and support those whom God has placed in our lives without expecting anything in return. A crucial aspect of honoring God is expressed by offering Him the best of what we have: our firstfruits, our possessions, and our time. When we acknowledge God as the source of every blessing and honor Him with what we have, He promises to fill our barns and make our vats overflow. This is a promise that invites us to live a life of generosity, trust, and gratitude. Honoring God brings three main benefits, clearly described in Scripture.

The first benefit is: Divine Favor.

By honoring God and others, we receive divine favor, which opens doors and grants us access to people, places, and situations that would otherwise be beyond our reach. Divine favor has the power to accomplish what money cannot: for example, someone who is last in line may suddenly find themselves in the first position because of God’s favor. This happens because the favor of God in our lives can transform our circumstances in ways that others cannot explain but are a clear sign of His grace.

The second benefit is: Honor as a Sign of Obedience.

Living in a way that honors God means recognizing His authority and submitting to His will. This principle also extends to human relationships, as God establishes authorities in the lives of believers to guide and bless them. Relating to these authorities with obedience and submission signifies acknowledging that all authority comes from God.

The third benefit is: Honor as a Sign of the Fear of God.

We honor God and others because, in our hearts, there is the fear of God, which is not fear in the sense of dread, but reverence and respect for our Creator.

Malachi 1:6; 6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

The fear of God compels us to honor our parents, our spiritual leaders, and all those who deserve respect. Honoring our parents, who are a gift from God even if imperfect or no longer alive is a command from God, inviting us to value those who gave us life and treat them with respect. Furthermore, to honor means to appreciate and esteem, avoiding criticism or speaking poorly of others, because dishonor leads to receiving dishonor. In fact, dishonor is like a currency: if we honor, we receive honor. Embracing a culture of honor allows us to walk in the fear of God, a fear that acts as a guardian in our lives. The world easily pushes us toward compromise and living according to its ways, where it is common to speak poorly of others, criticize them, and treat them without respect. However, the culture of honor calls us to live differently, as the Apostle Paul teaches us.

Romans 12:2; 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Often, in the Church, there are Christians who fall into the same traps as the world, but that is not how God has called us to live. A significant example is offered by the testimony of a pastor with a church of 20,000 people in Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon entering a skyscraper, he encountered a homeless person. Though tempted to avoid him, he obeyed the voice of God, who reminded him that the difference between him and that homeless person was God’s presence in his life. This experience highlights that honor does not depend on appearances, but on recognizing the image of God in every person, regardless of their condition. Returning to Proverbs 3:9-10, the term “Lord” in Greek is “Kyrios,” which means master, source, and creator of all things. In this context, when we honor God, we recognize that He is the master, creator, and source of everything. We are not the masters of our lives or what we possess, because everything belongs to Him, as written in Psalms:

Psalm 24:1; 1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

This includes not only the earth but also our family, our work, our home, and even our health. Everything is a gift from God, and recognizing this truth leads us to honor Him as the rightful Master of every aspect of our lives. Indeed, the Bible teaches us that we are stewards of what God has entrusted to us, not owners. When we understand this truth, we live free from material anxiety, resting in God’s divine care. When we realize that God is the master of everything, we also understand that we have been purchased at a great price.

1°Corinthians 6:20; 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Therefore, if God is our master, we are no longer our own, but His; the conflict arises when man seeks to retain control over what belongs to God. We often use the term "mine" referring to what we possess, but who has given us the strength to work, the health to live, and every resource we have? All of this is a gift from God. You see, offering our lives as firstfruits means fully surrendering to God, allowing Him to be the Lord of every aspect of our existence. Proverbs 3:10 assures us that our barns will be filled and our vats overflowing; this promise applies even in times of crisis because God protects what has been entrusted to Him. This is a season of double grace, a time of restoration and multiplication, where even if the barns of the world are empty, those of those who live according to divine principles will be full and overflowing. Living according to the principle of honor and firstfruits transforms every aspect of our lives, as it leads us into a deeper relationship with God, experiencing His abundance and protection. This lifestyle reflects the lordship of Christ, which requires complete surrender and obedience.

Luke 6:46; 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

This invites us to live in coherence with our faith, honoring God with every choice.

In conclusion, the principle of firstfruits is not just a religious practice, but a way to acknowledge God as the master of everything, because when we honor Him with our possessions, we demonstrate trust in His providence. Proverbs 3:9-10 assures us that God responds with abundance and prosperity. This promise is an invitation to live a life of faith, gratitude, and generosity, experiencing God’s blessings in a tangible way.