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Even so, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the
gospel. . . .”
Further, the Apostle Paul wrote the true and faithful ministry who labor in both preaching and
teaching of the Word of God is worthy of double honor (
meaning
remuneration – to recompense,
to pay an equivalent for their services,
(
I Timothy 5:17-18
).
Firstfruits to be Given to God
In addition to God’s laws concerning the tithing of money there are also other laws that are just
as applicable today as they were in Old Testament times, such as the requirement of giving of
firstfruits of fruit trees, gardens, the firstborn of cattle, sheep and goats, etc.:
Exodus 22:29-30 “You shall NOT delay to offer the First of your ripe produce and your
juices . . . likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother
seven days, from the eighth day you shall give it to Me (
from the eighth day up to one year
old, Exodus 12:5; 29:38.”
Offerings to God were to include all firstfruits as well:
Exodus 23:19 “The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the
LORD your God.”
This is not possible in this day and age for many brethren who are scattered with no true minister
to whom they can give their firstfruits. In such cases the owners can appraise their value and can
be mailed to the true ministry (
Leviticus 27:30-31
).
The Feast of Tabernacles
The firstlings of clean animals that were to be set apart for special purposes were to be eaten by
the priesthood and the people of Israel at very special times of the year. This also carries over
into New Testament times:
Deuteronomy15:19-20 “Of all the firstborn males that come from your herd and your flock
you shall sanctify (
set apart for holy use
) to (
or by
) to the LORD your God; you shall do no
work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. You and your
household shall eat it (
the females as second tithe by the family; the males to be eaten by the
priests during the Feast, Numbers 18:17; Leviticus 7:28-34
) before the LORD your God year
by year (
the offering must not be delayed beyond a yea
r) in the place which He chooses.”
Further, the firstlings of animals were not to be castrated (
Leviticus 22:24
). In addition the
firstlings could not be set apart by the owner for himself (
Leviticus 27:26
); they belonged to
God. The unclean firstlings were to be redeemed by the owner from God (
meaning— bought
back, Exodus 13:13; Numbers 18:15-17).