Merhabadaughter of GOD ! Jambo GOD's son ! May the LORD reward your faithfulness, may your house be in a state of abundance, and your way be made wide, and your feet not shake.
Genesis 4 : 3-5 (NIV) “ Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast."
Leveticus 19: 23-25 (NIV) 23 “‘ When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten. 24 In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the LORD.25 But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the LORD your GOD."
It is in the account of Cain and Abel that the word "offering" is first mentioned in the Bible. Cain brought part of his harvest, while Abel presented himself with the firstborn of his flock. Both made a voluntary offering. Unlike Cain, Abel gave the best of his first harvest. It is for this reason that the LORD preferred his offering to that of Cain. It has nothing to do as many think with a question of blood. GOD is not unfair to ask Cain what he does not have. If the texts specify that Abel brought the firstborn and their fat, we can deduce that Cain didn't present either his first fruits either the best of his harvest.Abel is in the Bible, the first person to have offered "the first fruits offering". He did this before a law was given in the Levitical priesthood by GOD to Moses (Exodus 22:29; Exodus 34: 6; Deuteronomy 26:10; Ezekiel 44:30; Leviticus 19: 23-25; Leviticus 27:30)
Perhaps Abel and Cain learned from their parents to give offerings, but we cannot affirm they did. The HOLY SPIRIT, through the apostle Paul, tells us "Let each one give as he has resolved in his heart, without sadness or constraint; for GOD loves those who give with joy." (2 Corinthians 9: 7) Without judging those who do not, one thing is certain, GOD will always appreciate an offering of the first fruits made willingly, with joy, and without regret. This certainty is not for debate. Since the first-fruit offering existed before the law, one cannot accuse those who give their first fruits of submitting to the law. Likewise, since we are under the dispensation of grace, we can neither compel a person to give his first fruits nor curse him for not doing so, much less judge him.
Personally, every time I have a new job, I give my first salary (in different churches or ministries). Later when additional activities and investments will bear fruit, I will give the first ones entirely to the LORD. It is a personal conviction, I am not making a doctrine of it. I know people who at the beginning of each year, give as an offering to the LORD, in their local church or their spiritual parents, the equivalent of one month of their total income. They do it out of personal conviction and not out of obligation. There will be no rejoicing if your heart is not willing or well disposed (1 Chronicles 29: 9).
GOD cannot be bought. Neither by an offering nor by anything. GOD is GOD by his nature (omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, transcendent, and immutable). Gold and silver belong to him (Haggai 2: 8). He loves us with eternal and unconditional love. No offering, however sacrificial it could be, will equal His love for us. The Lord gave himself first before asking us for anything. He loved before asking us to love. The LORD is the most important person he is. I am convinced that giving him the last part or the crumbs of my income, is not honoring him.
The first time I gave the first fruit offering, it was an act of faith. I had just finished my studies, had been looking for a stable job for at least six months, and had at least three months of unpaid rent. I didn't give, to get back in the millions. It was an expression of gratitude. I gave to say thank Him: thank You for this job (tomorrow) and above all thank you because You were always by my side (yesterday). So far He had provided, and whatever happens to me tomorrow, He will provide. I'm not afraid to miss. By the way, since I am not afraid to miss, the devil cannot impress me with money. I encourage you to give your first fruits to the LORD, but I will never judge you if you don't.
** Merhaba = good morning in turkish
** Jambo = good morning tanzanian swahili