When Faith Turns to Profit: Unveiling Exploitative Practices in Firstfruits Offerings

Religious communities have long served as pillars of support, providing spiritual guidance, comfort, and a sense of belonging. However, an alarming trend has emerged in recent years where unscrupulous pastors exploit the trust and faith of their congregants for financial gain. One particular example involves the manipulation of the firstfruit offering, a biblical concept from the Law of Moses, to deceive congregants into surrendering their January salaries and/or the first salaries in their new jobs.

What was Firstfruits?

The Law of Moses, found in the Old Testament of the Bible, is a comprehensive set of instructions and commandments given to the Israelites by God through the prophet Moses. Among the various regulations outlined in this Law is the concept of “firstfruits.” Firstfruits were a unique offering that represented the first and best of the harvest presented to God as an expression of gratitude, dependence, and obedience.

1. Biblical Basis:

The term “firstfruits” is mentioned throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. In Exodus 23:19, God commands the Israelites, “The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.” This mandate was designed to acknowledge God’s sovereignty over the land and its produce, recognizing that all blessings came from Him.

2. Symbolic Meaning:

Firstfruits symbolize acknowledgment of God’s provision and sovereignty. By offering the first and best of the harvest, the Israelites acknowledged that their prosperity was a direct result of God’s blessings. This act of giving the initial portion of the harvest represented an act of trust and obedience, affirming the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people.

Moreover, firstfruits carried a symbolic representation of consecration and sanctification. The act of setting aside the first portion of the harvest signified that the entire harvest was holy and belonged to God. It was a way of consecrating the entire crop to God, acknowledging that He was the source of their sustenance.

3. Ceremonial Observance:

The offering of firstfruits was accompanied by a specific ceremony. In Deuteronomy 26:1–11, the Israelites were instructed to bring the firstfruits to the priest, make a confession, and recite a brief historical account of God’s faithfulness. This ritual captured the connection between the land, the people, and God’s covenant promises.

What Firstfruits was Not

1. Not a Monetary Transaction:

It is essential to clarify that the biblical principle of Firstfruits is not centered on monetary transactions or the demand for individuals to give their January and/or first-month-on-the-job salaries to pastors. Instead, it is rooted in the agricultural practices of ancient Israel and holds spiritual significance.

2. Not an Ongoing Financial Obligation:

Firstfruits, as outlined in the Law of Moses, does not establish an ongoing financial commitment. It is a specific offering tied to the Old Testament Jewish agricultural harvest rather than a continuous requirement related to modern individuals’ income.

3. Not a Form of Manipulative Giving:

The biblical concept of Firstfruits is not intended to be manipulated by pastors to exploit congregants. It is an Old Testament voluntary and sincere expression of gratitude by Jews, not a coercive practice to extract financial contributions.

4. Not a Guarantee for Personal Prosperity:

Contrary to some modern distortions, the genuine Firstfruit offering is not a guaranteed formula for personal financial prosperity or specific blessings. It is an act of faith and gratitude, not a transaction for material gain.

5. Not an Exclusive Offering for January:

The biblical Firstfruits offering was not limited to a specific month, such as January. It was tied to the agricultural cycle and represented the first and best portion of the harvest, which varied depending on the crops and geographical region.

6. Not a Replacement for Responsible Stewardship:

Firstfruits giving is NOT responsible financial stewardship. The Bible encourages individuals to manage their resources wisely and provide for their families. Surrendering your entire salary to a pastor due to a false interpretation of biblical doctrine is a form of financial irresponsibility.

7. Not a Means of Gaining God’s Favour Through Wealth:

The Old Testament Firstfruit offering was not a transaction for gaining God’s favour or manipulating divine blessings through material wealth. It was a symbolic act of acknowledging God’s sovereignty over the harvest.

8. Not an Indicator of Spiritual Superiority:

Presenting Firstfruits was not an indicator of spiritual superiority or a measure of one’s righteousness. The Bible teaches that for New Testament believers, salvation and favour with God come through faith in Christ and not through financial contributions.

9. Not a Mechanism for Guilt-Driven Giving:

The Old Testament Firstfruits offering was not meant to induce guilt or fear among the Jews. It was a joyful and voluntary act, not a tool for manipulating emotions to exploit the givers financially.

10. Not a Substitute for Genuine Worship and Obedience:

Offering Firstfruits did not replace the importance of genuine worship, obedience to God’s commandments, and a sincere relationship with Him. It was one aspect of expressing gratitude, not a standalone measure of one’s devotion.

Exploitative Tactics:

1. Wrong Teaching:

Exposing the lie that the Firstfruits offering applies to the New Testament requires a closer examination of biblical theology. While the concept of Firstfruits is indeed present in the Old Testament, particularly in the Law of Moses, it does not carry over into the New Testament. The New Testament emphasizes a shift from the physical and ritualistic practices of the Old Covenant to the spiritual realities fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:20–23, refers to Jesus as the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep,” connecting the resurrection of Christ to the agricultural symbolism of Firstfruits. This usage is metaphorical and points to the unique significance of Christ’s resurrection rather than instituting a new requirement for believers to present material offerings. The assertion that the Firstfruits offering applies directly to the New Testament is a distortion of biblical theology.

2. Wrong Practice:

Fraudulent pastors exploit their erroneous interpretation of Firstfruits by persuading congregants that handing over their January and/or the first salaries in their new jobs is a divine commandment, thus positioning themselves as intermediaries between the congregants and God. These pastors often use persuasive rhetoric, cherry-picking verses from the Bible, to create a false sense of urgency and obligation.

Manipulative teachings include claims that surrendering the entire salary as a Firstfruit offering will result in greater financial blessings, protection from calamities, or divine favour throughout the year. Congregants are misled into believing that failure to comply with this demand leads to negative consequences or God’s displeasure.

3. Wrong consequences:

The consequences of such deceptive practices are profound, both financially and spiritually. Congregants, driven by genuine faith and a desire for spiritual blessings, may sacrifice their hard-earned money under the false pretence that they are adhering to a sacred New Testament biblical practice. This financial strain can have severe consequences for individuals and families, affecting their ability to meet basic needs and obligations.

Furthermore, this exploitation of trust by pastors erodes the very foundation of individual faith. Congregants experience disillusionment, mistrust, and a sense of betrayal as their pastors prioritize personal gain over the genuine well-being of their congregants.

Conclusion:

To teach that the Firstfruit offering from the Law of Moses involves handing over one’s entire salary misunderstands the biblical context and the nature of the offering. It is important for individuals to be discerning and aware of scriptural principles, ensuring that their faith practices align with the genuine teachings of the Bible. In doing so, they can avoid falling prey to manipulative tactics that exploit their trust and misrepresent the true essence of biblical concepts like the Firstfruits.

The exploitation of the Firstfruit offering by fraudulent pastors is a reprehensible betrayal of trust and a distortion of sacred biblical principles. It not only undermines the financial well-being of congregants but also erodes the foundations of faith communities. Vigilance, sound biblical knowledge, and accountability are essential in addressing this issue, ensuring that churches remain true to their purpose of proclaiming the Gospel and nurturing communal support rather than serving as platforms for personal enrichment.