By Izunna Okafor, Awka
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ebenator, was alive with joy and spiritual fervor, as members of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ebenator, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, heartily danced to the alter of the Lord with their offerings, to mark the church’s First Fruit Harvest for the year 2023.
The harvest, which is an annual ritual of the church, saw individuals and families in the church troop out amid cheers to appreciate God for His faithfulness.
In his homily at the well-attended service, the Vicar of the Church, who spoke on the topic “Your First Fruits Belong to God” said every first fruit of everything belongs to God and should be brought to his alter, as was instructed by God. He cited some biblical references, including Proverbs 3:9-10, Leviticus 23:10, 25:23, and Numbers 18:12,13, to buttress that God owns all first fruit.
He described offering of first fruit as obedience to the word of God and an investment in the alter of God.
“Apart from being an obedience to God’s commandments, another major purpose of first fruit offering is to ensure the continuity of the blessings of God,” he said.
Quoting 2nd Corinthians 9:6-7, he said whoever sows sparingly shall reap sparingly, while he who sows bountifully shall reap bountifully
He further highlighted eight benefits of giving one’s first fruit to God.
Proclaiming these to the congregation, he said: “Angels will work in front of you, your enemies will be His enemies, your bread and drinks are guaranteed and blessed, no disease will come near you, and He will bless the fruit of your womb and your life.
Continuing, he said: “There won’t be any miscarriage or infertility in your life, the days of your life shall not be cut short, and you shall have fruitful life and possess the promised land.”
According to the Anglican priest, all these shall come to pass when one honours God with his first fruit and his possession.
Citing 2nd Corinthians 8:1-2, Ven. Nzowu, however, said that whoever must give God anything must first give himself to God himself, as God does not accept anything offered by a sinner or unholy person, irrespective of how attractive the offer may look. He therefore charged the congregation to first give themselves to God, for their offerings to be acceptable to Him and also attract God’s blessings.
The 2023 First Fruit Harvest of the church did not only mark the kick-off of her harvest season, but also marked a collective reaffirmation of faith and an embrace of spiritual abundance by the congregation.
