The Danger of Transactional Faith: Recovering the True Principle of Firstfruits

• Firstfruits and Tithing [00:01:22 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor distinguishes between firstfruits and tithes using Nehemiah 10, explaining that firstfruits are a yearly offering of the first portion of increase, while tithes are the first tenth, both belonging to God.
• Intimacy with God [00:08:42 ▶️ 📄]
  > Using Deuteronomy 11, the pastor defines 'love' in a biblical context as intimacy ('yada') and explains that this intimacy is demonstrated by keeping God's charges, statutes, judgments, and commands.
• Divine Law vs. Civil Law [00:10:23 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses his own marriage history to illustrate that divine law (marriage before God) exists independently of civil licenses, arguing that God's judgments are divine laws that supersede state recognition.
• Restoration vs. Enabling [00:14:37 ▶️ 📄]
  > Referencing Galatians 6:1, the pastor explains the balance of restoring a brother in sin without becoming their 'crutch,' distinguishing between life-crushing emergencies and enabling dependency.
• Anxiety and Trust [00:16:08 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor addresses anxiety over daily needs using Matthew 6, urging the congregation to seek God's kingdom first and trust that He will provide, rather than worrying about food, clothing, or bills.
• Anxiety and Trust [00:16:11 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor addresses anxiety over everyday needs (food, clothing, bills) and instructs the congregation to stop worrying, citing Matthew 6, and instead trust God's provision.
• Divine Order and Alignment [00:20:13 ▶️ 📄]
  > The speaker defines a 'divine accurate order and arrangement' for life, contrasting it with worldly chaos, and argues that aligning with this order brings breakthrough and stops 'groundhog years' of repetition.
• The Principle of Firstfruits [00:26:36 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor explains 'firstfruits' not just as a financial offering but as a fundamental principle of putting God first in time, place, and order, which serves as the foundation for stability and blessing.
• The Authority of Scripture [00:21:50 ▶️ 📄]
  > The sermon emphasizes meditating on and hiding God's Word in the heart as the primary method to avoid destruction, gain faith, and understand God's plans, citing Psalms and Romans.
• Financial Stewardship and Offering [00:18:17 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor connects honoring God with possessions to receiving favor and blessings, promoting a specific 'First Fruits' offering campaign with incentives.
• Definition and Theology of Firstfruits [00:27:32 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor defines 'firstfruits' through Hebrew (bikurim/promise to come) and Greek (sacrifice/best part) etymology, establishing it as a fundamental principle of priority and foundation.
• Salvation vs. Blessing [00:28:57 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor clarifies that giving is not a 'heaven and hell' issue for salvation, which is settled by the blood covenant, but is an issue of fulfilling God's plan and receiving blessings.
• Biblical Mandate and Promise [00:29:55 ▶️ 📄]
  > Citing Leviticus 23 and Proverbs 3, the pastor explains the divine order where honoring God with the first portion results in abundance and the fulfillment of promises.
• Practical Application and Call to Action [00:31:45 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor provides specific instructions on how to give (phone, online, mail) and connects the act of giving to spiritual positioning for the year ahead.

• Sermon Illustration [00:10:23 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor shares a personal anecdote about his three weddings: the first in Ghana (divine law), the second at the Ritz Carlton (civil benefits), and the third at his church. He uses this to illustrate that divine law and civil law are separate, and that God recognized the marriage before the state did.
• Sermon Illustration [00:16:32 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor shares personal anecdotes of having anxiety over paying bills and making ends meet, using this to relate to the congregation's struggles before offering the biblical solution of trusting God.
• Sermon Illustration [00:17:44 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor references a teaching by 'Mary' about releasing God even in suffering, using it to illustrate the need to relax and trust God rather than striving in the flesh.
• Sermon Illustration [00:28:00 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the metaphor of a 'sinkhole' to describe life without the foundation of God's principles, and contrasts the 'divine accurate order' of the Kingdom with the chaotic orders of bosses or family members.
• Sermon Illustration [00:24:34 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor cites current events (layoffs at Amazon, Google competitors, stock market concerns) to illustrate the futility of worrying about the world system compared to trusting God's covenant promises.
• Sermon Illustration [00:27:57 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor uses the analogy of a foundation: without the foundation of firstfruits, life is like being in a 'sinkhole' with no stability. He also uses the analogy of sending a 'signal' to future months (September, July) when giving in the first month, which releases promises.

• Pastoral Charge [00:04:15 ▶️ 📄]
  > The pastor instructs the congregation to donate financially using specific methods (online buttons, PayPal, Cash App, or mail) and exhorts them to be faithful in this giving.
• Pastoral Charge [00:18:59 ▶️ 📄]
  > The congregation is instructed to give a First Fruits offering through various methods (call, write, text, give, online).
• Pastoral Charge [00:19:47 ▶️ 📄]
  > The congregation is urged to sign up as a partner on the ministry's website.
• Pastoral Charge [00:31:47 ▶️ 📄]
  > Instructs the congregation to immediately give a firstfruits offering via phone, website, mail, or digital payment apps.
• Pastoral Charge [00:33:16 ▶️ 📄]
  > A final urgent directive to give immediately through any available channel as an act of obedience.

[00:00:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
God's word is your answer.
[00:00:33] Welcome to service.
[00:00:35] Why don't you text out five people and tell them to join us today?
[00:00:37] It's going to be powerful.
[00:00:39] As we put God first, you already know, Matthew chapter 6, seek ye first the kingdom of God, and then all these things will be added to you.
[00:00:48] You see, this is the year of glory, and I believe that you're going to see the impact, the effect of God's manifestation, His weight, His majesty, His splendor in your life.
[00:00:58] But there's going to be some things we might have to adjust or do different.
[00:01:01] And so as we really examine our life and put God first for those victories, for that abundant life, for the success that God has for us, let's look and see, where can we get this done?
[00:01:12] And we know as we pray.
[00:01:13] As we fast and as we give.
[00:01:16] Just before my husband John comes and leads us into the very Holy of Holies and we worship, let's look at giving for a minute.
[00:01:22] If you've got your Bible, go with me to Nehemiah chapter 10.
[00:01:26] Let's look at this.
[00:01:27] Verse 35 it says,
[00:01:29] And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the Lord.
[00:01:36] Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister to the house of our God.
[00:01:48] And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner trees, of wine and oil, unto the priests of the chambers of the house of our God.
[00:01:57] Now watch this over and over he basically covers everything because they were farmers they were they were agriculturalists so he's telling his covenant people bring all first whether it's your children whether it's your wine or your vats or your vineyards whether it's your cattle your bank accounts bring it all yearly you have to bring the first fruits now watch how he goes on and it's interesting because he says this
[00:02:28] He says, And the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
[00:02:36] And the priest of the sun shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes, and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, and to the chambers, and to the treasure house.
[00:02:46] So he makes first fruits.
[00:02:48] and Tithe are very separate.
[00:02:50] They're both first.
[00:02:52] Tithe is the first tenth of your increase.
[00:02:55] That belongs to the Lord.
[00:02:57] But a firstfruits offering is something that's done yearly.
[00:03:00] Now we know, and the reason I teach the principle of firstfruits is because there's a Hebrew calendar and there's a Western calendar.
[00:03:08] So there's a firstfruits feast.
[00:03:11] There's a firstfruits offering.
[00:03:14] Jesus is the firstfruit of many brethren.
[00:03:16] There's this principle of all firsts belong to God.
[00:03:21] So we recognize in the Western world, our first month is January.
[00:03:25] And I personally celebrate both the Hebrew calendar, and I understand I still celebrate Christmas, I still celebrate Easter.
[00:03:32] Those are different actual dates from the Hebrew.
[00:03:37] So I want you to have that understanding.
[00:03:38] I bring God a first fruits offering on both of those.
[00:03:42] That's up to you.
[00:03:44] So just ask God.
[00:03:46] and increase your faith whether it's a day wage or two day wage or an entire week what the Lord speaks to you now let's honor God and worship God with our giving Father we just thank you so much as we give to you we know that your promises will prevail in our life it's an honor to worship you with our giving we ask that you would bless us and increase our household our family our finances in Jesus mighty name and everybody said amen
[00:04:15] Click on that donation button.
[00:04:17] You can give by PayPal.
[00:04:18] You can give by Cash App, Vimeo.
[00:04:21] You can even write an old-fashioned check and mail it to the P.O.
[00:04:24] Box.
[00:04:25] But just be faithful in your giving.
[00:04:27] Now let's worship God and continue as John comes and ministers to us.

[00:04:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Whatever I do with the first Will rule what happens with the rest Take me, Lord, examine me Put my heart, put my faith to the test We love because You loved us first Gave Your firstborn Son You who made the first move You who made the very first step
[00:05:18] I'll seek you when I'm strong I'll seek you through every storm As I offer up all that I can do I know All first belong to you Every breath I take With every move I make In everything I do for you I know
[00:05:45] All first belong to You All first belong to You Give us first fruit of the Spirit Eternal harvest of Your Son
[00:06:09] Love, joy, peace and patience The blessing's only just begun The first fruit of your resurrection Calls us from the grave Rejoice in your new covenant We are saved by redeeming grace I'll seek you when I'm strong
[00:06:35] I'll seek you through every storm As I offer up all that I can do I know all firsts belong to you Every breath I take With every move I make In everything I do for you I know all firsts belong to you
[00:07:09] From my first step, I walked into your life From your first word, your will will shape my life From the first time, I prayed you in my heart From my first breath, you showed me who you are
[00:07:42] I'll seek you when I'm strong I'll seek you through every storm As I offer up all that I can do I know All first belong to you Every breath I take With every move I make In everything I do for you I know
[00:08:09] All first belong to You.
[00:08:13] All first belong to You.

[00:08:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
So, watch what he's saying.
[00:08:39] Just write it down, because I've got to get you into God being first.
[00:08:42] Deuteronomy 11 says, Love the Lord your God, keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws, and his commands always.
[00:08:48] Alright?
[00:08:49] So there are four things he says.
[00:08:51] To love is interesting there because it means to have affection.
[00:08:54] It means to be intimate with God.
[00:08:56] That's a serious word, like yada, genosko.
[00:09:00] To be intimate with God.
[00:09:02] God's not saying, love me from here.
[00:09:04] Love me.
[00:09:06] You're not intimate with everybody, guys.
[00:09:07] Intimacy.
[00:09:10] Intimacy.
[00:09:13] Intimacy.
[00:09:14] And God's saying,
[00:09:16] Therefore you shall be intimate with the Lord your God.
[00:09:20] Here's how you do it.
[00:09:21] By keeping His charge and His statutes and His judgments and His commands.
[00:09:27] To keep means to guard, to protect, to attend to.
[00:09:30] So let me break them out for you because commandments are the commands or the law.
[00:09:35] You go, that was done away with.
[00:09:37] That's sloppy grace.
[00:09:39] Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.
[00:09:44] The letter of the law killeth, but the Spirit gives life.
[00:09:48] You didn't become a renegade rebel because you're a New Testament Christian.
[00:09:54] You still have the order of God.
[00:09:56] Jesus came to fulfill it.
[00:09:57] He said, you're going to break this law every time and the law can't save you, but I can.
[00:10:02] The judgments,
[00:10:04] judgments are our justice it's a verdict that is pronounced judicially especially a sentence or a formal decree it's a divine law it's a ceremony okay so John and I got married the first time on December the 6th in Ghana
[00:10:23] We got married the second time on April the 25th.
[00:10:28] Doing good here.
[00:10:29] April the 25th at the Ritz Carlton.
[00:10:32] We got married the third time on April the 26th here at New Destiny at the time.
[00:10:38] One for God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
[00:10:42] All right, so when did we get married before God?
[00:10:50] The first time, December 6th, did I have an American license with him?
[00:10:55] No, I didn't.
[00:10:57] That took till April the 25th.
[00:11:00] Did John move in with me on December the 9th?
[00:11:04] That's when we got back.
[00:11:07] Y'all looking funny, y'all don't know.
[00:11:08] It's in a trick question.
[00:11:13] It's not a trick question.
[00:11:16] Yes, he did.
[00:11:18] We were legally married in Ghana.
[00:11:20] Rachel and Brad were part of our wedding.
[00:11:23] Brad walked me down the aisle both times, all three times.
[00:11:28] Why?
[00:11:29] Because marriage is a divine law.
[00:11:32] I don't care what the state says.
[00:11:36] I don't care what the state does.
[00:11:39] It is a divine law.
[00:11:42] Y'all don't want me to go here, do you?
[00:11:45] I was married by God through Archbishop to my husband.
[00:11:52] I wanted the civil benefits of what America could give us.
[00:11:57] So we had another wedding for our friends to enjoy and to get the civil benefits.
[00:12:03] But when was the divine law fulfilled?
[00:12:06] Hey, it says it's better to marry than to burn.
[00:12:11] Y'all aren't hearing what I'm saying.
[00:12:13] We were gonna get married quick.
[00:12:19] Amen.
[00:12:21] Some of y'all need to come get married now and then have your civil ceremony a little bit later.
[00:12:29] A judgment is justice, judicial, it's a divine law.
[00:12:34] Statues are customs, enactments.
[00:12:36] Statues are appointments.
[00:12:38] God has appointments with you.
[00:12:40] So he says, love is this, to obey God in the law, in divine law, in appointments, you ready?
[00:12:47] And in charges.
[00:12:48] It's the act, it's the post, it's the duty, it's the office.
[00:12:51] You know, every one of you have been called to an office.
[00:12:54] might be an office of an intercessor, might be an office of administrative, it might be an office of a pastor.
[00:13:01] You're called to a duty.
[00:13:02] When you don't obey God in that, you're not loving Him.
[00:13:08] I'm just delivering it, Pastor Todd.
[00:13:11] So we're examining ourself from head to toe.
[00:13:14] Can I take 20 more minutes with you guys?
[00:13:18] So Deuteronomy 6, 5 through 7, love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, your strengths.
[00:13:23] These commandments I give you today, write them on your hearts.
[00:13:26] Deuteronomy 7 through 9, it's all an honor thing.
[00:13:29] Deuteronomy 10, 12 through 13, it's all an honor.
[00:13:32] John 14, 15, if you love me, you will obey what I command.
[00:13:37] Now, in Hebrew, here's an interesting thing.
[00:13:40] The command to love the Lord God means to choose Him for one's most intimate relationship and then to express that choice by obedience through His revealed will.
[00:13:53] So, in Hebrew, if you say, I love God, it means you choose God and you
[00:14:01] Express that love by your choice.
[00:14:05] This is going to go somewhere now.
[00:14:07] By your choice.
[00:14:08] Remember the statement for the illustration I'm going to do.
[00:14:10] If you love God, it means that you choose God and express that choice by obedience to His revealed will.
[00:14:21] So if someone is sick, we're to call forth the elders and pray over them, right?
[00:14:26] Well, if we just decide not to do that, are we walking out as revealed will?
[00:14:30] When are we to help someone versus enabling them?
[00:14:34] See, the Bible's full of this stuff.
[00:14:37] There's nothing in your life that's not touched, Galatians 6, 1.
[00:14:40] You who are spiritual, restore your brethren lest you fall into that same temptation.
[00:14:45] Now, if it goes into restore, that same word restore, that first verse one says, when a person has a life-crushing issue, lift the boulder off them and stand them up, but you're not to keep standing them.
[00:14:57] So when people keep being dependent on you, tell them, I'm not your God.
[00:15:01] Only God is God.
[00:15:04] He might have used me to resource, but He's your source.
[00:15:08] When people get mad at you because you won't do, their urgency is not your emergency.
[00:15:14] The only time something is an emergency, if there is a life-crushing issue, if they can't work, if they can't eat, if they can't walk, if they can't move because there is something so debilitating to them that they are not capable of standing up.
[00:15:29] If they're capable of standing up, don't be their crutch in life.
[00:15:34] You're not supposed to.
[00:15:36] In fact, it gets pretty rough about what you're supposed to do.
[00:15:39] Y'all still with me?
[00:15:40] Battery of tests.
[00:15:41] Say it's a heart thing.
[00:15:43] Say it's an honor thing.
[00:15:46] And now it's a how thing.
[00:15:48] So how do I do this?
[00:15:49] Proverbs 3, 5 through 9 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
[00:15:52] Lean not to your own understanding.
[00:15:54] In all your ways acknowledge Him.
[00:15:55] He'll direct your paths.
[00:15:56] Don't be wise in your eye.
[00:15:58] Fear the Lord.
[00:15:59] Depart from evil.
[00:16:00] It will be help to your navel, morrow to your bones.
[00:16:02] Honor the Lord with thy substance, with thy firstfruits of all thine increase.
[00:16:05] That's an honor.
[00:16:06] So go with me to Matthew chapter 6.
[00:16:08] We're gonna make this real quick.
[00:16:10] Don't take any thought.
[00:16:11] Don't be anxiously careful for your life.
[00:16:13] How many of you have ever had anxiety over your life?
[00:16:16] So first thing he says is stop having anxiety.
[00:16:19] What you're going to eat, what you're going to drink, what you're going to wear, what you're going to put on, where you're going to live.
[00:16:25] He says you're going to have anxiety.
[00:16:28] Don't have anxiety over the everyday needs of life.
[00:16:32] Now I've had anxiety over them sometimes.
[00:16:34] How we're gonna pay our bills, what we're gonna do, what needs to be cut, what we're gonna, how we're gonna make.
[00:16:39] And he says, behold the fowls of the air, they don't sow, they don't reap, they don't gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
[00:16:45] Are you not a lot better?
[00:16:47] So why take thought, consider this, and he goes into all these different things, right?
[00:16:51] Verse 33, but seek first, somebody say seek first.
[00:16:56] the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you additionally placed it means to lay beside to repeat to increase therefore take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow shall take thought for itself sufficiency day I'm going to read you the message because I love the way it reads it says what I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax turn to somebody say chill out say take a chill pill
[00:17:22] Now, I mean that so sincerely because all your griping is not going to change your spouse.
[00:17:28] All your rebuking is not going to change that rebellious child.
[00:17:32] Now, there are things that are going to do it, but all that stuff that we do in the flesh, all that worrying is not going to change your situation.
[00:17:41] And he says, what I'm trying to do is get you to relax.
[00:17:44] I thought Mary taught something so profound yesterday when she talked that you have to release God even in a place of suffering like even when you see someone suffering you've got to release them to God completely what I'm trying to do is get you to relax get you to trust me get you to love me get you to obey me take a battery of tests right now okay to not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving

[00:18:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Proverbs 3-9 teaches us to honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all our increase.

[00:18:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
God has to be first in your relationships.
[00:18:25] God has to be first in your finances.
[00:18:28] God has to be first with your children.

[00:18:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Honoring the Lord in the first month of 2026 through the biblical principle of firstfruits positions you for favor, opportunities, and financial blessings.
[00:18:38] God's principle of firstfruits is all about putting Him first in everything.
[00:18:41] Jesus told us in Matthew 633, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
[00:18:48] Put God first through your firstfruits offering.

[00:18:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Honoring God in every way, with my time, with my energy, with my relationships, with my finances, God first in all things.

[00:18:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Call, write, text, give, or go online now with your best First Fruits offering given in obedience to God's Word.
[00:19:05] And we will rush to you Paula's new devotional titled First, a 31-day devotional to keeping God first.
[00:19:10] And when you sow your First Fruits offering of $120 or more today, we will rush you this very special First Fruits bundle, including the new devotional, plus Paula's brand new book, First, Unlocking the Daily Benefits of Putting God First.
[00:19:22] Plus, Paula's four-disc series, God's Principle of First.
[00:19:25] Paula will touch and agree, believing for supernatural increase and abundance in every area in 2026.
[00:19:31] Activate God's principle of first fruits in 2026 as you make God first.

[00:19:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
I pray you're enjoying God's Word.
[00:19:40] We'll be back with it in just a second, but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with us at Paula White Ministry.
[00:19:47] If you've not signed up to be a partner yet,
[00:19:50] Why don't you get all the benefits and find out what is it that I can do for Paula White Ministry and what is it that Paula White Ministry can do for me?
[00:19:58] Just go to our website and find out how you can make a difference around the world.
[00:20:03] Now, let's get back into the Word.
[00:20:09] If I'm fussing, it means I either don't know God or I don't know how He works.
[00:20:13] God has a divine accurate order and arrangement for everything in your life.
[00:20:17] I just want to help you get out of a groundhog year right now.
[00:20:20] I want to help you not live contrary to the Word of God.
[00:20:24] I want to help you have that breakthrough right now.
[00:20:26] This is not a message of condemnation.
[00:20:28] This is a message of really love and saying, look, I've been in divine accurate or I've been out of order before.
[00:20:35] But when God began to reveal to me divine accurate order and arrangement of things, my life began to get in alignment.
[00:20:41] When my life gets in alignment, I see God's promises.
[00:20:45] How many of you are ready for a breakthrough year?
[00:20:47] Come on, how many of you are ready for stop having no more groundhog years?
[00:20:51] So say, bring it real fast, Paula, bring it.
[00:20:53] So foremost in time, place, order, the Kingdom of God, who God is and God's way of doing things.
[00:20:59] How?
[00:21:00] This is the how part.
[00:21:01] Well, there's obvious ways we've been doing.
[00:21:03] Prayer, fasting, giving His Word, right?
[00:21:07] Serving, putting Him first in everything.
[00:21:10] Your life, ministry, business.
[00:21:13] If you're just working a job, what are you doing?
[00:21:15] You're not a job type of person.
[00:21:16] You're a called person.
[00:21:18] You shouldn't be at that job.
[00:21:20] If you're just doing a job just to get ends meet.
[00:21:23] I mean, say, God, this is temporary.
[00:21:24] Now show me my assignment.
[00:21:26] Because everything in your life is an assignment.
[00:21:30] What are you doing clocking in just to get a paycheck?
[00:21:33] Unless you're supposed to be there for 50 years to minister to one person so they don't go to hell.
[00:21:39] Everything in your life is an assignment.
[00:21:42] You're a sent person.
[00:21:44] You are chosen by God.
[00:21:46] You're called by God.
[00:21:48] Joshua 1 and 1-8 starts.
[00:21:49] How do we put Him first?
[00:21:50] It starts by putting His Word first.
[00:21:52] Do not let this book of the law depart out of your mouth.
[00:21:56] but meditate it chew on it day and night come on that you may be careful to do everything that is written there goes that obedience to do everything that is written and so show you what make your way prosperous and make your way successful prosperous means to advance to break out to break through to break forth how many of you are ready to break forth breaking forth out of depression breaking forth out of loss breaking forth out of generational curses breaking forth out of the enemy's demonic stronghold
[00:22:25] Breaking forth out of mindsets that are resistant to change.
[00:22:29] Today, I'm going to make God's Word first in my life.
[00:22:32] Come on, how many of you are going to say, it's going to be my roadmap, it's going to be my lifeline.
[00:22:36] It's not just something I casually read.
[00:22:39] I'll study it more than anything else.
[00:22:41] People who don't know God and know the way He works, come on, we fuss.
[00:22:45] So, Romans chapter 10, 17 says, Faith cometh by...
[00:22:49] and Hearing by?
[00:22:50] So the Word of God reveals to you how to live.
[00:22:54] The just shall live by?
[00:22:56] Faith.
[00:22:58] Over and over.
[00:22:58] The just shall live by faith.
[00:23:01] Psalm 17, 4, Concerning the works of men, by the word of your lips have I kept myself from the path of the destroyer.
[00:23:09] The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy you.
[00:23:13] But it is only through the Word of God that you're able to keep yourself from the path of destruction.
[00:23:21] There's no way not to fall into a path of destruction except for hiding the Word of God in your heart every single day.
[00:23:27] Knowing that your heart is constant ground that needs to be plowed.
[00:23:31] Psalm 119, 105, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and it is a light to my path.
[00:23:37] Verse 11, the word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you.
[00:23:42] I might not miss the mark.
[00:23:44] Psalm 132, verse 2, I'll bow down toward your holy temple and I'll praise your name for your love and your faithfulness.
[00:23:51] For you have exalted all things.
[00:23:54] For you have been exalted all things
[00:23:57] All things, your name and your word.
[00:23:59] God exalts his name.
[00:24:00] God exalts his word over everything, over crisis, over destruction, over divorce.
[00:24:07] Come on, he exalts his name and his word.
[00:24:09] There's a plan that God has for your life.
[00:24:12] When you put God's word first, it begins to alter and change everything in your life.
[00:24:16] Jeremiah 29, 11, I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
[00:24:20] Plans to prosper you, to break you forth, to advance you, to break you through, not to harm you.
[00:24:25] Plans to give you an expected end.
[00:24:27] How many of you want to make it to the expected end?
[00:24:29] Come on, because God doesn't look and say, oh, there's a war going on.
[00:24:34] Oh, the economy's getting bad.
[00:24:35] Ooh, Bank of America, no, who was it?
[00:24:37] Bank of America came out and said, we're about to lose all the stock and Goldman Sachs and Amazon just laid off 10,000 and the competitor to Google is getting ready to lay off 12,000 and ooh, you better be concerned.
[00:24:51] Some of you look at your stock portfolio more than you look at your Bible.
[00:25:03] I'd be concerned too if I was dependent on this world system, but I'm not.
[00:25:09] I've been hungry.
[00:25:10] I can be hungry again.
[00:25:11] I've been full.
[00:25:12] I can be full again.
[00:25:13] But this one thing I know, I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor their seed begging for bread.
[00:25:20] When the rubber hits the road, I've got to know, God, you've put me through a battery of tests.
[00:25:26] You're first in my life.
[00:25:29] So every covenant right, every covenant privilege are released by believing and activating the Word of God.
[00:25:37] You have to make His presence your priority.
[00:25:39] I'm not going to take time to do this, but you know I teach this.
[00:25:42] There are three important things you've got to understand about the Word.
[00:25:44] Principles, which are fundamental truths, which every other law is based on.
[00:25:48] Patterns, which is a divine, accurate order and arrangement of things.
[00:25:52] And positioning, the way you are placed or arranged around that.
[00:25:57] So there's principles.
[00:25:58] There's patterns and there's positioning.
[00:26:01] You've got to understand that in context of studying.
[00:26:03] So God has a divine, accurate order and arrangement of things.
[00:26:09] Are you ready?
[00:26:09] Say, bring it on.
[00:26:11] When something is arranged in a proper, systematic order, that order for the kingdom of God, now,
[00:26:19] This is not the order for the world.
[00:26:22] It's not the order that your boss is putting out.
[00:26:25] Might not even be the order for some people in your house.
[00:26:28] But that order for the kingdom of God is always, in all things, first things first.
[00:26:36] God first, which means the principle of first fruits.
[00:26:41] Now, if that's the divine accurate order and arrangement, let me bring it down.
[00:26:44] You ready for a battery of tests?
[00:26:47] Y'all are like, I've got this down.
[00:26:48] I'm passing the test.
[00:26:49] Hold your seats.
[00:26:51] Just for a minute, principle is a root word from prince meaning dominion, meaning if it's a principle, it has domain over your life.
[00:27:00] It is a fundamental truth or law that everything else is based on, so everything gets based out of God first.
[00:27:07] First fruits is more than an offering though it's inclusive of an offering so don't get up here and think first fruits is just an offering first fruits is when i bring this much to god first fruits is the first tenth of the tithe first fruits is a principle it's a feast jesus was the first fruits of many brethren first fruits means the hasty fruit it means birthright that's what it means in the hebrew it means a promise to come
[00:27:32] In the Greek, it means a sacrifice.
[00:27:35] It's the best or the choice part.
[00:27:38] It's the first in place, the first in time, the first in order, the first in rank.
[00:27:44] It's a beginning or a chief or a principle thing.
[00:27:47] It's a forefront or fundamental.
[00:27:49] A fundamental means a basic essential supporting all existence.
[00:27:55] It's the foundation.
[00:27:57] If we don't have this foundation, guys, we're in a sinkhole or something.
[00:28:00] We have no way to be in here and have stability in our life.
[00:28:04] The reason there's so much double-mindedness and wavering is because there's not a foundation.
[00:28:10] And there has to be a foundation starting with the fact that your elder brother is the first fruit of many brother.
[00:28:16] It determines the essential structure and it determines the function.
[00:28:21] It's a promise to come.
[00:28:23] And God says, all first belong to me.
[00:28:29] I pray the Word has blessed you today.
[00:28:31] I want to give you an opportunity to honor God and put Him first
[00:28:36] by giving him a first-roots offering.
[00:28:38] Like I said, we recognize there's a difference between the Hebrew calendar and the Western calendar.
[00:28:44] But during our first, January, we like to do three things, pray, fast, and give.
[00:28:52] Now, God mandates this throughout His Word, especially in the Old Testament.
[00:28:55] You see it in the New Testament as well.
[00:28:57] But this is not a heaven and hell issue.
[00:29:00] This is not, if I don't give, I'm gonna go to hell.
[00:29:02] That was settled by the blood covenant of Jesus Christ.
[00:29:06] This is an issue of you can be saved and not fulfill the full plan of God, see all the blessings of God.
[00:29:13] But why would we want that?
[00:29:15] So I want you to position yourself for God's promises by honoring Him with the firstfruits offering.
[00:29:22] So firstfruits in Hebrew is bikurim and literally means a promise to come.
[00:29:27] You see, there is one who never breaks his promise, and that is God.
[00:29:31] So when you honor God with the First Fruits offering, it's like sending a signal to your September, to your July, and that promise is released in your life.
[00:29:41] See, when you keep first things first through faith and obedience, you turn God's promise into provision, because He wants you to succeed.
[00:29:50] He died to give you an abundant life, and He's put a principle in place called First Fruits.
[00:29:55] And he says in Leviticus 23 verse 9 and 10, When you come into the land which I gave you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest.
[00:30:09] We also see it in Proverbs chapter 3 and again all through the word.
[00:30:14] Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all your increase.
[00:30:20] So your barns or we would say bank accounts will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow.
[00:30:27] You see the first represents the total and all first belong to God.
[00:30:34] This divine establishment of God's order is actually the root and the foundation for what governs the rest.
[00:30:41] So whatever you do with the first hour of your day governs or dictates the rest.
[00:30:46] The first day of the week, the first month of the year, the first of your giving.
[00:30:52] Romans chapter 11 verse 16 says it like this, For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy.
[00:31:00] And if the root is holy, then so are the branches.
[00:31:04] So remember, God claims the first of all things.
[00:31:08] It rightfully belongs to Him.
[00:31:10] And when we apply the principle of firstfruits, we see that all firsts should be given to the Lord.
[00:31:17] This is your opportunity to grow in faith, to be a blessing to this ministry, which is good, good ground.
[00:31:25] So right now, honor God.
[00:31:28] with His first fruits.
[00:31:29] And I promise you, you are going to see the results, the rewards, the promises of God.
[00:31:37] Seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness.
[00:31:41] And all these things will be added to you.
[00:31:44] Matthew 6, 33.
[00:31:45] How do I do it?
[00:31:47] Call the toll-free number right now.
[00:31:49] You click on the donation button.
[00:31:52] Go to PaulaWhite.org or you can write the PO Box.
[00:31:56] You can do it with Cash App, PayPal.
[00:31:58] There's a lot of different ways to do it.
[00:32:01] But the key is put God first in your giving with a first fruits offering.
[00:32:06] I'm deeply convicted about this and I've lived it for literally decades now.
[00:32:12] Father God, I pray over every giver that you would show them your promises
[00:32:17] Increase them supernaturally in the name which is above every name, the name of Jesus Christ.
[00:32:23] Let all fear be gone and let them take a step of faith as they honor you first and have a different year than they've ever had before.
[00:32:32] In Jesus' name.

[00:32:34] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Proverbs 3-9 teaches us to honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all our increase.

[00:32:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
God has to be first in your relationships.
[00:32:42] God has to be first in your finances.
[00:32:45] God has to be first with your children.

[00:32:47] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Honoring the Lord in the first month of 2026 through the biblical principle of firstfruits positions you for favor, opportunities, and financial blessings.
[00:32:55] God's principle of firstfruits is all about putting Him first in everything.
[00:32:58] Jesus told us in Matthew 633, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
[00:33:05] Put God first through your firstfruits offering.

[00:33:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Honoring God in every way, with my time, with my energy, with my relationships, with my finances, God first in all things.

[00:33:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Call, write, text, give, or go online now with your best First Fruits offering given in obedience to God's Word.
[00:33:21] And we will rush to you Paula's new devotional titled, First, a 31-day devotional to keeping God first.
[00:33:27] And when you sow your First Fruits offering of $120 or more today, we will rush you this very special First Fruits bundle, including the new devotional, plus Paula's brand new book, First, Unlocking the Daily Benefits of Putting God First.
[00:33:38] Plus, Paula's four-disc series, God's Principle of First.
[00:33:42] Paula will touch and agree, believing for supernatural increase and abundance in every area in 2026.
[00:33:48] Activate God's principle of firstfruits in 2026 as you make God first.
[00:33:56] Because of the faithful support and prayers of ministry partners and friends, we are able to transform lives, heal hearts, and win souls worldwide every single day through the outreaches of Paula White Ministries.
[00:34:08] Our global gospel outreach, reaching hundreds of millions of people online, and the daily Paula Today television program, broadcasted in potentially 190 countries.
[00:34:18] Our massive food and household outreaches, distributing truckloads of food weekly, totaling over 29 million pounds of food in the last four years, and millions of dollars in new household furniture to those in need.
[00:34:31] Our disaster relief efforts, delivering multiple tractor trailer truckloads and hurricane disaster relief, helping to bring hope and rebuild communities.
[00:34:40] Community Transformation Adopting places like the hurricane-ravaged town of Chimney Rock, North Carolina, rebuilding complexes, restoring and mobilizing over 3,000 volunteers to bring donations, love, and support to help resurrect and rebuild the community, as well as help rebuild a Moshav in Israel destroyed in the October 7 massacre.
[00:35:00] Impactful outreach events like our annual Back to School Bash, Thanksgiving Table in the Wilderness, and Children's Christmas Outreach, positively impacting thousands every year.
[00:35:11] Prison ministry and revival, going into prisons and sharing the gospel.
[00:35:16] Advocacy for biblical values, spearheading, organizing, educating, and activating church leaders to bring back biblical values in America through the National Faith Advisory Board and the annual National Faith Summit.
[00:35:29] Making a difference at our borders.
[00:35:31] Connecting together hundreds of pastors with local state and national leaders with the U.S. Border Patrol who educate and inform them on the process and challenges faced on the border, as well as blessing the families of fallen Border Patrol agents through Operation Border Blessing.
[00:35:47] Your much-needed prayers and support help sustain and expand these vital ministries, bringing hope, restoration, and the transformative power of the gospel to those millions in need.
[00:36:00] Thank you.

[00:36:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
This is your year of glory.
[00:36:05] The manifestation of God's presence and His presence must be our priority.
[00:36:10] But you can't have His presence without a relationship.
[00:36:14] You cannot really see the manifestation of all God's promises without a real relationship.
[00:36:20] And maybe you have never asked God, or Jesus Christ more specifically, to be your Lord and Savior.
[00:36:28] In fact, if you died right now, you're not sure if heaven or hell is your home.
[00:36:32] You don't have to live like that.
[00:36:35] Let's do this first month right by really having a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
[00:36:42] If you want to pray that prayer,
[00:36:44] Say, Paula, I'm ready to reset my life.
[00:36:47] I want to make sure that heaven becomes my home.
[00:36:50] Pray this with me.
[00:36:51] Say, Father God, forgive me for all my sin.
[00:36:56] I receive Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.
[00:37:02] Say, Devil, let go of my life.
[00:37:05] In Jesus' name.
[00:37:07] If you prayed that prayer, go to PaulaWhite.org.
[00:37:11] There's a book on salvation.
[00:37:13] are building blocks of faith.
[00:37:15] It's not the last step, but it is the first step.
[00:37:18] And welcome to the family of God.
[00:37:20] I'd love to be your pastor.
[00:37:22] Let's do life together.
[00:37:23] Send me your prayer request and your praise reports.
[00:37:27] And God bless you.

[00:37:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
It's worth fighting for.
[00:37:33] You are about to be unleashed into your purpose.
[00:37:36] Register today for the 2026 Unleashed Conference, February 18 through the 21st in Apopka, Florida.
[00:37:42] Four days of anointed preaching and prophetic power, plus a free children's conference.
[00:37:46] Conference speakers include Pastor Paula White-Cain, Pastor Russell Johnson, Pastor Jensen Franklin, Apostle Guillermo Maldonado, Prophet Gideon Danzo, Pastor Brad Knight, and more.
[00:37:56] as well as anointed worship by Jonathan Cain of Hall of Fame Rock Band Journey and others.
[00:38:01] This event is free but guaranteed preferred seating is available right now to secure your seat.
[00:38:06] We want to see you there.