HaShem commands Israel to give Him the first part of the field crops and the increase of the cattle. The Torah says that the delivery of these firstfruits that belong to the Eternal should not be delayed. A delay is a sign that one is not considering the Eternal the first one in one's life. When the Eternal is the first one in everything we are interested in honouring Him first with everything we receive from His hand before enjoying personal benefits from it.

In Proverbs 3:9-10 it is written: "Honour the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (ESV) This teaches us that to give a part of what we receive to the Eternal first is to honour Him. On the contrary, if we delay the delivery of what belongs to Him we are showing with that action that we are placing Him in the second place after ourselves, thus dishonouring Him.

By giving the Eternal what belongs to Him from our income first, we are not only honouring Him but also becoming sanctified, because this produces sanctity in us. The text that we've highlighted teaches us that if we do not delay the offering of our income we will be sanctified, -consecrated to the Eternal.

So sanctity is produced first by the heart's attitude that has the Eternal as first in our lives. Secondly, we must show this attitude in a practical way in our daily lives with the delivery of what belongs to the Eternal, which includes the tithe of all forms of income. The delivery of the firstfruits and the tithe creates sanctity in our lives. Thirdly, when we don't delay this delivery we are sanctified and we honour the Eternal. Sanctity has to do with the heart's surrender and closeness to the Eternal and its practical consequences in our daily lives.

Don't delay the delivery of the tithe. Give it before enjoying your income. In that way you will be sanctified and your barns will be filled with abundance because of the Eternal's blessing. The result of sanctity is not only intimacy with the Eternal, but also material abundance.

Blessed be the Eternal for His principles that bless and lift us up! 

Ketriel