First fruit offerings are referenced many times throughout the Bible, demonstrating the significance and reward of this faithful gift. Keep reading to learn more about first fruits and how to simplify the giving process in modern times.
The Hebrew word for first fruit is bikkurim, which translates to “the promise to come.” Your church members give first fruit offerings as a way to demonstrate their trust and faith in God’s blessings.
In this article, we explore first fruit offerings in the Bible and how you can provide easy and effective ways for your congregants to give these offerings faithfully.
The roots of this type of giving run deep in the Bible. They date back to when farmers would harvest the fruits of their labor in an agrarian society – literally reaping what they sowed in the form of crops.
First fruit offerings in the Bible refer to giving the very first and best portion of your yield to God. This type of giving showcases a sense of obedience, gratitude, and trust in God’s continued provision.
In modern times, first fruit offerings are still relevant and widely encouraged in many churches, although it may look a little different!
Typically, Christians make first fruit offerings to churches or religious leaders. If you are a priest or leader of the church, you may accept this offering as a gesture of faith.
Some Christians choose to give their offerings at the start of the new year or the beginning of the harvest season, but there is no particular date for this observance. Anytime someone experiences a bounty, they can give!
There are various scriptures on first fruit offerings mentioned throughout the Bible. Here are some examples you can use to encourage your church members to give faithfully:
First fruit offerings are prominent throughout the Old and New Testaments and emphasized as an act of obedience to God.
Now, let’s compare how this type of giving differs from tithing.
First fruit offerings differ from tithing in the Bible. While both involve the giving of one’s wealth or resources as faithful offerings to the church, there are some key differences to note.
The first is in how much is given. To tithe is to give 10% of your income or resources to the church before spending elsewhere.
First fruit offerings, on the other hand, do not have a prescribed amount and differ based on individual faith, circumstances, and generosity.
The second difference is in when these offerings are given. Tithing is an ongoing practice for Christians. First fruit offerings, however, are more seasonal or milestone-based.
For example, if you recently got promoted or received a tax refund and choose to give the first portion to your church, that gift represents the first fruits of your labor.
Many Christians wonder how they should calculate their first fruit offering.
As mentioned above, there is no set amount Christians should offer to your church as first fruits. How much each person gives will vary depending on their unique financial circumstances.
The Bible encourages Christians to give their first and very best to God generously and joyfully. If you run a ministry, it’s important to streamline the giving process so your congregants can offer their first fruits faithfully!
Here are some ways you can simplify giving first fruits for church attendees.
Many people don’t carry cash anymore. In fact, almost 50% of church giving transactions are made via card.
Beyond offering plates passed around during services, streamline in-person donations by setting up a church giving kiosk. This way, your church can accept first fruit offerings easily using cards and digital wallets.
The Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app lets you connect your Android tablet or iPad to a card reader and accept cashless gifts of first fruits swiftly. Alternatively, use the app on your Android smartphone and appoint volunteers to collect gifts before, during, and after services using the Tap to Pay feature.
Watch this short video to see Donorbox Live™ Kiosk in action at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine:
Chances are, nearly every church attendee has a smartphone. Put up printouts of QR codes that link to your online donation page in your church lobby or hallways. Attendees can then scan and give first fruit offerings seamlessly.
Another way to streamline mobile giving is by offering a text-to-give option. Text giving is a fantastic way to increase donations and encourage engagement in your community.
Donorbox Text-to-Give makes it easy for your church to offer this option to congregants. Attendees just text your campaign ID to a toll-free number and complete their gift via a simple donation form using the link they receive. They’ll also receive a thank-you message after donating that acknowledges their offering.
Pro tip: Educate your church about text-to-give by talking about it during sermons, in your monthly newsletters, on your social media channels, and even at church fundraising events.
These fast, simple, and cost-effective options are not only convenient for donors but also encourage more participation and faithful donations.
Since 60% of congregants prefer to give online, make it easy for people to donate first fruit offerings digitally by creating an online donation page.
This will also remove any barriers to giving during virtual or hybrid church services.
See how Now Faith Ministries lets congregants designate their gift as a first fruit offering on their donation form.
Accept First Fruit Offerings with Donorbox
Pro tip: Make giving more impactful by sharing first fruit offering scripture from the Bible on your donation page. This encourages congregants to learn more and support your church!
Recurring donations allow your church community to give generously and plan their repeat offerings. While some congregants may choose to give one-time offerings of first fruit, others may want to increase that number throughout the year as part of their planned giving.
In addition to a one-time donation interval, offer recurring donation options on your online donation form. Donorbox’s multi-step donation forms allow you to add up to four giving intervals. Choose from the eight options available, including weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
Another way to create a culture of regular giving is to encourage your one-time donors to provide ongoing support to your church. Donorbox’s Recurring Upsell feature will gently nudge one-time donors to upgrade their donation to a monthly gift, right from your donation form.
Church members can also manage their recurring plans at any time and repeat their donations in just a few clicks with QuickDonate™.
The Bible encourages Christians to give their first fruits willingly and generously. A first fruit offering is an act of love, faith, and trust in God’s promise to provide. Make giving this special offering to your church easy by providing streamlined online and in-person donation options.
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Jamy-Lee Holt