First Fruits? What is it?

[NoForMe]

So my Pastor is beginning to teach on First fruits, not to be confused with tithing. We are to give our pastor our first financial fruits, (personally to him) and the harvest will then be blessed. I'm having a hard time with this. He wants me to write him a check for the amount I recieved in a raise and hand it to him, and not designate it to the church. Where does this teaching come from? I have read on first fruits and in every case it is the people giving to the lord and his kingdom, My pastor is not the Lord. Can anyone give me some scpirture against or for this. I'm about ready to leave this church

 

[Techbot]

Three words for you - "RUN my friend".

What your pastor is asking you to do isn't biblical. I've never heard of a pastor asking for the first fruits to go to him. Even the Levitical priests were to take their portion from the sacrifices given God if I remember correctly.

 

[Techbot]

*double post*

 

[NoForMe]

I agree, It sounds ridiculous, and it is very far fetched, I'm just really trying to build up my argument when it comes to talking to my friend, It just doesn't make sense to me and i believe he is using it completely out of context

 

[Techbot]

He is using it out of context. WAY out. Show your friend the verses about tithing. No where in there does it ever advocate giving "first fruits" to your pastor. The first fruits belong to God. AFTER that you give offerings...and if you feel lead, give one to your pastor, although that's NOT a common offering.
I've been in services where an evangelist will have a "love offering" taken up. But again, thats NOT your first fruits.

 

[NoForMe]

I definately agree on way out of context. He is grabbing it from left field. As for the love offering I agree with that, but the money is going to a ministry, every time I have given to a love offering it has been so that they can continue to minister as they are doing, not so they can go and get some new golf clubs. My friends wife is going to nail me with scripture and it's going to get ugly because I'm going to nail her back. I don't want to lose them as friends, but this church is becoming more and more clear to me that it's not where I should be

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

yea i agree with the person that said "run"

I'd pray for them big time and if they don't see the error of their theology, find another church.

Red flags all over the place!

 

[NoForMe]

I agree, Red Flags, I'm just trying to build my argument, I know he is going to have verses taken out of context to throw at me and I really don't like that type of confrontation. I'm wondering if I should meet with the pastor and let him knoe why I have decided to leave the church

 

[Suzannah]

I agree, Red Flags, I'm just trying to build my argument, I know he is going to have verses taken out of context to throw at me and I really don't like that type of confrontation. I'm wondering if I should meet with the pastor and let him knoe why I have decided to leave the church

I really don't think you need a pre-written argument. What is obvious is: he is out of context, and there are times when there is NO OTHER SIDE. This is one of them. No argument is necessary. "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you!" in this matter means: Tell him you're leaving and tell him he is out of context and you've "got his number" ....there won't be an argument.

 

[wonder111]

 

[LadyDJ]

Personally, not only would I be running but, I think I'd be looking for someone to report this pastor's behavior to for investigation.

 

[NoForMe]

As far as reporting thats another thing, there is no one to report it to, he started the church, it's a pentecostal church and he says in services sometimes that he is the top, there is no one above him, He tried to have a different denomination a long time ago, but they wouldn't let him because he was divorced

 

[breezynosacek]

Well, it took me a while to find it but I did. There is a spirit of error and then there is false teachers. A person can misunderstand Scriptures and teach on one thing erroniously, but if he is doing this to gain your money, I would say he falls under the latter. He sounds like he's getting into, or has already gotten into that new wave, little gods doctrine hitting the churchs after the charismatic movement.

This is Paul speaking to the Corinthians about false teachers and it ain't pretty. I will give you a few exerpts from the chapter in the Amplified. You may use this when you speak to your friend.

He speaks of first, their spiritual condition and what they are about spiritually and then he speaks of practical matters in the physical.

II Cor. 11:3,4

"But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
For [you seem readily to endure it] if a man comes and preaches another Jesus than the One we preached, or if you recieve a different spirit from the [Spirit] you [once] recieved or a different gospel from the one you [then] received and welcomed; you tolerate [all that] well enough!"

In v. 14 "And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light:"

v 19,20 "For you readily and gladly bear with the foolish, since you are so smart and wise yourselves!
For you endure it if a man assumes control of your souls and makes slaves of you, or devours [you substance, spends your money] and preys upon you, or decieves and takes advantage of you, or is arrogant and puts on airs, or strikes you in the face."

This is what I have seen many false teachers do. Also, read II Timothy 3.

 

[NoForMe]

Excellent, I really like that and I am going to use it, This pastor has said some off the wall crazy things before, it blows me away, he has said that he would beat up a man who cheated and not even have to repent. Some crazy things like that, I really need to get my wife on board. Please everyone and anyone who is reading this, please just say a quick prayer for me that I would be strong, and have wisdom from God to make the decision by my spirit and not by my flesh. Thank you, the blessing is priceless

 

[Beauty4Ashes]

 

[NoForMe]

Thanks, I appreciate the prayer!

 

[Yitzchak]

First fruits is a term which comes from the harvest. In Israel there were more than one harvest during the year and there was a celebration which accompanyed the "firstfruits". If you have ever planted a garden, then you will know that there is a special feeling when the first things come ripe in your garden after months of work and waiting. there is a lot said about first fruits in the old testament and there are spiritual symbols involved. israel had holidays and rules surronding how the first fruits were handled.
As far as giving to the lord out of your first fruits. That is a good practice. giving to the pastor instead of to the church is a way around accountability and not usually wise. But supporting the Lord's work is always a good thing.
So i encourage you to be led by The lord in your giving. don't allow the pastor or anyone else to bully you into giving. Giving to the Lord's work is supposed to be joyous and not a burden.

 

[NoForMe]

I Agree with that, it's not supposed to be a burden, and for me it's not a burden at all, I give because I love my God, and I serve for him, It was until recently that I realized, I'm not here to build a church, I'm here to build God's Kingdom!

 

[Yitzchak]

I Agree with that, it's not supposed to be a burden, and for me it's not a burden at all, I give because I love my God, and I serve for him, It was until recently that I realized, I'm not here to build a church, I'm here to build God's Kingdom!

Amen to that. It is our position "in christ" which is where we find our salvation and every good work. We are no longer doing our own works of righteousness which have failed us but it is christ who lives in us and does His works through us to build His kingdom. The Spirit of God within us is generous to the point of ridiculous. We are to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh and the Spirit will rise up within us to perform every good work including giving. so only one thing is needful and that is that we find ourselves in christ and living in the Spirit.

 

[Yitzchak]

if you don't give to this pastor, let it not be out of stinginess or suspicion. But rather let it be out of joyous stewardship of the resources which God has entrusted to you. And the definite knowledge that God wants your resources elsewhere.