Christian Friends Of Israel America is a registered 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization.
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Project "First Fruits"
Sowing Seeds into Israel
Fruits was always a religious offering of the first agricultural produce of a harvest. In Greek, Roman, Hebrew and Christian faiths, first fruits were offered to either the Temple or the Church. It was often a primary source of income to encourage spiritual leadership. In classical Athens much of the agricultural offering was sold by the temple with the proceeds being used to pay for the daily upkeep of the temple complex.
In ancient Rome, the offering was observed in the Roman household often during daily meals and at more formal times of the month. In ancient Israel, First Fruits were tithed as heave offerings; the tithe was allocated throughout the year, but for accounting purposes traditionally began each year at Tu Bishvat, which was the occasion of a festival. The tithe was limited to the traditional seven agricultural products (wheat, barley, grapes in the form of wine, figs, pomegranates, olives in the form of oil and dates) but eventually other products were added as well. The separation of tithed produce from untithed produce was subject to regulation.
From a Christian perspective, we also celebrated harvest time and the idea of giving the First Fruits but the idea of tithing has been largely abandoned by much of today's Church. A tithe literally means a tenth. It means that we mark a portion of the produce of the field as belonging to God. Today, we don't physically go to the field to collect edible produce; however, giving our tithes and offerings to bless the local church and the believing community in Israel today, should be a priority for us all.
We invite men and women of faith from the nations to bless Israel today and those who comprise the Household of Faith. This may be local Pastors from traditional established churches in the Land, needy members of their congregations both Gentile and Arab, evangelical churches in Jerusalem, churches in the Old City, Arabic Pastors and believers in personal need for their families, individuals from around the world as well as Hebrew speaking congregations in the Land. We assist all with the same giving hearts to meet personal and practical needs of families from a humanitarian point of view.
All are treated equal and each individual situation is assessed through application forms which are submitted to our Jerusalem office. If you would like to contribute to this program of practical assistance to all who believe in the Land of Israel today.
Ray Sanders, First Fruits Coordinator
For more information on this CFI Project, contact Project Coordinator Ray Sanders: ray@cfijerusalem.org
"For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings." (Romans 15:27)
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