There is a difference between a tithe and the firstfruit.

The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. Ex. 23:19

Your future success is determined by how you handle your firstfruits.

Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.  Proverbs 3:9-10

The purpose of a firstfruit gift is to put God first.

And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.” 1 Kings 17:13

So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Luke 18:22

Today, the firstfruit is more than a monetary offering… it is the firstfruits of your life.

Seek first the Kingdom of God above all else. Matthew 6:31-33, NLT

Your life consists of your time, talent, treasure, relationships, thoughts, and words.

Give God First Place in your Heart.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26

Jesus said unto him, you shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37

Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:4–5

• First in importance (priority)
• First in magnitude (quantity)

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Matt. 6:31-33

• First in order (chronologically)

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Prov. 16:3

“It is not possible to be ‘incidentally a Christian’. The fact of Christianity must be overwhelmingly first or nothing.”
~ C.S. Lewis

When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.

Give God the first day of the week.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet… Revelation 1:10

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23–25

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Acts 2:46

Give God the First Hour of the Day.

O God, you are my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Psalm 63:1

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, “All men seek for thee.” Mark 1:35–37

Give God the First Portion of your Pay.

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD. Leviticus 27:30

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these you ought to have done, and not leave the others undone.” Matthew 23:23

1. Put God first in your reading.

Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.  My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. Prov. 8:10,19

2. Put God first in your mind – meditate on Scripture.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Ps.1:2-3

3. Put God first at your work.
4. Put God first when you have a need or problem.
5. Put God first with your talents and abilities.
6. Put God first in decisions.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Ps. 37:23

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5–6

7. Put God first in your relationships.
8. Put God first in your music.
9. Plan God first in your finances.
10. Put God first in your marriage and family.
11. Put God first in your leisure and entertainment.
12. Put God first upon retiring to bed.