First fruits and tithes

Nehemiah 10:17 “And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.” 

First fruits are different from tithes as the scriptures state it. There is a misconception that they are the same, but they are not. 

We express honour for God by giving first fruit. It is one way of saying God you are first and leader in my life. This brings a reward of plenty and abundance in our lives. Paying tithes, on the other hand, God orders an outpouring of blessings and also rebukes the devourer on our behalf. It's a way of saying, "God, you are my source." 

It's commonly said that if you want to change levels, you need to do something different. Pr Diana Mwebe always says that things don't just happen. There are reasons behind every person's blessing. There are families that are more blessed than the rest, but it is because they did certain things to be what they are. Bishop Jackson Kayiira said that it is God's desire to bless each of us if we obey the ordinances. If we obey, it is to our advantage, just like the widow woman who fed Elijah first with a meal before she served herself. That one act sustained her throughout the famine. The question one would have is why didn't God use the rich people of that time? He wanted to bless this lady if she obeyed. 

Put God first, honour him, and declare Him as your leader and your source by being faithful to give your first fruit and tithe.

 Further scriptures

Nehemiah 12:44 “And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.”

 Deuteronomy 12:6

“And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:” 

1 Kings 17:13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go [and] do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring [it] unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

Malachi 3:10-11 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

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