Offering Up Firstfruits of Your Time to the Lord

Offering Up Firstfruits of Your Time to the Lord
(Deuteronomy 26:1-10)

Rev. Mark Kosko

 I. As with the Israelites, and now because of Christ, God has:
Liberated us from this world of sin and oppression
Driven us in to the wilderness
Given us an inheritance into his Kingdom
In return, we offer back firstfruits of His abundance in the form of tithes and offerings

 II. Tithing our Time (10% of Gross or Net?)
My Preferences for “Me Time” are:

  1. ______________________ 2. _____________________ 

  3. ________________
Time Spent in thought
Time does not always heal all wounds

 III. Be careful about offering up “leftover” time
Malachi 1:6-8, 13-14
God of the OT is not to be disrespected
Firstfruits of our time is a deliberate choice

 IV. Reflection:
I recall a pastor once making the comment that some people sincerely want to make a donation towards church ministries but are so personally indebted financially it’s impossible. Similarly, do we find ourselves genuinely wanting to offer up more time to the Lord but are challenged with so many other things we’ve allowed ourselves to become indebted to that it’s sapped our strength and will to follow through? And do those other things we spend our time doing create separation from the Lord?