First Fruits

Firstfruits.  A common theme in the Old Testament is the giving of first fruits.  When the time came for the harvest or when a tree was ripe with the first of its fruit, a person was supposed to offer that first part of the harvest to God and not consume it.  This was especially significant because food stores often ran low before it was time for the harvest.  Giving first fruits would require that a person go a little bit longer with scarce food, requiring more trust in God.  It was a way of dedicating the entire harvest to God.