I don't even like Cumquats, or I didn't a little while ago. But an Indian work colleague has shown me that just one cut up in some boiling water makes a lovely and refreshing warm drink. And so this is now my go-to after dinner most nights! Prior to this I had made cumquat marmalade - which was fiddly to make and it largely landed in the bin simply because I didn't like the taste. The Cumquats were rotting on the tree.
Now I am in the position of wanting to cut down my prolific cumquat tree to make space for a sitting area in my garden, but also not wanting to forgo my cumquats. Go figure. I have kept some seeds and I might attempt to grow another tree.... or even buy one. So I can have my outdoor seating area and my cumquats too!
My tree is currently full to overflowing with Cumquats. It is the right time of year for fruit, and this year rather than giving away my harvest of lemons (a possum has almost destroyed my lemon tree), I am finding myself giving away cumquats to the few people who will take them.
Harvest time is a significant season in the bible. Life revolved around agriculture and food production. The Israelites were promised a land flowing with milk and honey. Our God is the Lord of the Harvest providing seed for the sower and bread for eating. We recognise God as the creator and provider of all things - even cumquats, and so we don't need to fear about where our next meal is coming from.
2 Corinthians 9:10 TPT
This generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you. First he supplies every need, plus more. Then he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow.
There is also the principle of the first fruits in the bible. The idea is that the Israelites were commanded to honour God with the first portion of their harvest. In this way they put God first in their lives and acknowledged Him as the ultimate provider of all things. It was an act of worship, a way of seeking his blessing, and most importantly- an act of obedience to give thanks in advance for the promised blessing that was to come with the full harvest.
Exodus 23:15-16
...No one is to appear before me empty-handed. Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.
Proverbs 3: 5-10
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Jesus is a kind of first fruits as He was there at the beginning of time in the story of creation (Col 1:16-20), as is the Holy Spirit - which interestingly was given to the disciples at the time of Pentecost - which was the Jewish festival celebrating the early weeks of Harvest - the first fruits. The Holy Spirit comes with a kind of promise of the more to come. There's always more to come in the Kingdom and our God is ready to bless.
Jesus himself addressed this idea with his disciples/followers in a very practical way. I love these verses in Luke 6 as they have the blessings of God and the principles of first fruits all over them. They read a little like the Proverbs 3 verses in some ways. As we honour God with the first and the best we have, we can celebrate the increase to come in His goodness and His blessing.
Luke 6:37-38 TPT
Jesus said, “Forsake the habit of criticizing and judging others, and you will not be criticized and judged in return. Don’t condemn others and you will not be condemned. Forgive over and over, and you will be forgiven over and over. Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! The measurement of your generosity becomes the measurement of your return.”
This is an extraordinary way to live - it blows my little mind, and requires a little faith and trust. I don't think God minds us testing him in this principle. It speaks of the fullness of life that Jesus promised - for here and now and for eternity. But it is not so easy to do - especially as we don't live in a world where we see others live always quite so generously. In my life, it feels like it is full of Cumquats at times - people who are bitter, entitled, and who try to steal my peace, or at least just take up space. I have someone taking me to court at the moment - over a matter that is ridiculous - and it is taking up my time and money. Somehow though, by the grace of God, I have no bitterness or hatred towards this person and I am maybe a little under-concerned about the matter. But I wonder where God is working in the midst of it?? Maybe I will never know what is going on, but I can trust that God works all things together for good (Romans 8:28). I am also sure in this instance, that I will be stretched and I will learn a few things along the way.
I also feel like I am investing a lot of my time and energy with people on one or two fronts who don't give much back.... I feel like I am looking for something more. I made a decision years and years ago that I would be a person who gives rather than a person who predominantly takes - in a very general sense. I still sometimes wonder why I am bothering with stuff at times?? I really need this reminder in Luke 6, to forgive and give generously 0ver and over again. If for no other reason than to honour the Lord. And the principle of first fruits will follow anything that is consecrated to God.
The best of the harvest is yet to come. Maybe the process is challenging me, and opening my heart and mind to the things that really matter?? Maybe the Cumquats in my life will become the prized possession - multiplied and poured out in the power of the Holy Spirit. With God anything is possible.
Let it be. Amen.
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