Daylight robbery in the churches, By Femi Aribisala

First fruits are anathema to the New Testament.

Jesus said, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations?’ But you have made it a ‘robber’s den.’ (Mark 11:17).

Churches, which are now called houses of God, are actually dens of robbers. The kingpins are highfalutin pastors and bishops. These men and women specialize in hypnotizing unsuspecting Christians to rob them of their hard earned money.

Be warned! They plan to steal from you in a big way this January.

Law and Grace

During the time of Moses, Jehovah created the law of “firstfruits”. This was part of the support system established for Levitical priests who were not given land in Israel. (Deuteronomy 18:1-2). The first fruits are the produce of the land of Israel, which is God’s gift to the Jewish people. (Leviticus 23:10).

However, the pastors of the past are not the same as the pastors of today who own land and own houses. In addition, Christians are not under the Law of Moses, but under the grace of God. (Romans 6:15). However, today’s Christian pastors still claim about the first fruits.

When Jesus fulfilled the law, He said on the cross of Calvary: “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Therefore, Paul said, “Christ is the end of the Law.” (Romans 10:4). How can pastors bring back the law of first fruits through the back door?

False First Fruits

Pastors revived the payment of the first fruit in the Old Testament and used it to squeeze money out of church members in the New Testament. This means using the Bible to steal and lie.

In the last four months of the year, there has been a certain change of emphasis in the message preached by pastors in many “new generation” churches. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably noticed this. The preachers began to talk repeatedly about the need to give “first fruits;” laying the groundwork for the main robbery regularly planned for January.

In the Old Testament, the first fruits were to be given to the priests. Ezekiel said, “The best of the first fruits and all your offerings will belong to the priests.” (Ezekiel 44:30). This scripture has been seized upon by today’s money-grubbing pastors who now insist that the “firstfruits” of all church members must be given to them.

This is not true because, in the New Testament, there is no longer an exclusive priesthood. However, Jesus has made everyone believe: “King and priest for our God”. (Revelation 5:10). But this fact is not taken into account by the collectors of the first fruits today.

The first fruits were given to the priests because they were not allowed to own land in Israel. God said: “I am the only inheritance of the priests. Do not give your land to Israel; I will be yours.” (Ezekiel 44:28-29).

However, the pastors of today are men of money and property. There is no way in which it is appropriate for those who do not have an inheritance that belongs only to God. Indeed, some mega pastors are now millionaires who drive with bodyguards in Jeep cortege and even fly in private jets.

Fruits of Money

The original and genuine first fruits are crops and livestock: “You shall give (the priests) the first fruits of your grain, new wine and oil, and the first hairs from the shearing of your sheep.” (Deuteronomy 18:4).

Money is never considered the first fruit in the Bible; never been paid like that. However, the pastors of today will not be funny if you bring the first fruits in bananas or pineapples. First fruits are now only accepted by cash or check.

In biblical times, first fruits were not required of those in non-agrarian trades, such as carpenters or fishermen because these professions were not tied to the land. First fruits are specifically “the first fruits of the land”. (Deuteronomy 26:10).

It links them to the land of Israel and cannot be applied to Israelis living in non-Jewish lands. It also means that they cannot be re-conceptualised as the first fruit of the salary. God gave Israel land: He did not give money.

Indeed, the Jews who only own the trees and not the land, are not allowed to give the first fruits, because they cannot say: “Behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land that you have given me, O Lord. ” (Deuteronomy 26:10).

The Jews who lived on the other side of the Jordan River could not bear the first fruits because they could not pronounce the words of the Bible about worship which says, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Deuteronomy 26:15).

How do Nigerians, for example, bring God’s first fruits from Nigeria? It is simply unacceptable and impossible! However, pastors deceive Christians by claiming that there is a special blessing when they give first fruits to pastors anywhere and everywhere.

Therefore, it must be clear that the pastors who insist on gathering the first fruits in the churches today are nothing but “thieves and robbers”. An armed robber takes money from you with a gun in his hand: a priest takes your money by removing a Bible.

Bonanza

The first true fruits are collected once a year during harvest. But fakes are now collected at the beginning of the year in January. The true first fruits are only a small part of the whole harvest: “The first fruits of your land you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God.” (Exodus 23:19). But the false first fruit has become the whole “harvest”.

False first fruits are defined as a Christian’s first paycheck after leaving school and getting a good job. But some pastors know that this only entitles the congregation to a one-time salary. So now they insist that, since the January salary is the first salary of the year, the fake fruits should be given every year, and it should be the January salary of all the cheated people.

This makes the first fruits boon far more profitable than the tithe; which is only a tenth of a Christian’s salary. Additionally, tithes are given to the “church”. “First fruits” is an even better scam because the money is given to the pastor.

Magic

Therefore, 419 pastors are salivating, waiting to rob Christians of all their January salaries. They have put the fear of Satan in the hearts of Christians; inform them of the consequences of refusing to accept this daytime robbery. Do not fall for this type of witchcraft unless you want to live in poverty throughout February.

First fruits are anathema to the New Testament. Now, the harvest is no longer a crop, but a soul. The redeemed are now the first fruits of God. (Revelation 14:14). James said, “For God’s own will, He begat us with the word of truth, so that we may be the first fruits of His creatures.” (James 1:18).

So, if your pastor has waxed lyrical about the need for you to give your entire January paycheck as first fruits, don’t mince words. Shouting at his face: “Ole! thief! Barao! Jaguda pali!”

Faribisala@yahoo.com; www.femiaribisala.com