Firstfruits is the theological principle that God receives the first and best — not the remainder, not the surplus. Under the Mosaic Law, Israel brought the first ripened grain to the Temple as an act of faith and worship, declaring that the entire harvest belonged to God (Leviticus 23:10). Paul applies this concept to Christ's resurrection: "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20) — His resurrection is the down payment and guarantee of the general resurrection to come. Believers are also called "a kind of firstfruits of all he created" (James 1:18), set apart for God's purposes.
FIRST'FRUITS, n. The fruits or produce first matured and collected in any season. In Scripture, firstfruits were offerings made to God of the first produce of the ground (Exodus 23:19). Figuratively, the first effects or results of any work or undertaking. Christ is called the firstfruits of the resurrection, being the first who rose from the dead to die no more.
The firstfruits principle has been corrupted in two directions: some prosperity preachers use it manipulatively to extract money ("sow your firstfruits seed to this ministry"). Others ignore it entirely, reducing giving to whatever is left over after all personal needs are met. Biblical firstfruits giving is neither coerced nor leftover — it is the first, willing, worshipful act of returning to God what was always His. The discipline of giving before spending is countercultural to consumer debt culture that spends first and gives (if at all) last.
1 Corinthians 15:20 — "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
Leviticus 23:10 — "When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest."
Proverbs 3:9 — "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops."
Romans 8:23 — "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship."
James 1:18 — "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."
G536 — aparchē (ἀπαρχή) — firstfruits, first portion offered; used of Christ's resurrection, the Spirit as down payment, and the first believers converted.
H1061 — bikkûr (בִּכּוּר) — firstfruit, early ripened grain; the OT term for harvest offerings dedicated to God before personal use.
H7225 — rē'shîth (רֵאשִׁית) — beginning, first, choicest; the same root as "In the beginning" (Gen. 1:1), emphasizing priority and excellence.
A man who tithes from the first paycheck deposit — before groceries, rent, or recreation — is practicing firstfruits worship. He is declaring, through action, that God is Lord of his finances. Christ's resurrection as firstfruits is the ground of every believer's hope: the harvest is guaranteed because the first sheaf has already been raised and offered to the Father.