In a timely message amid the New Year rush of spiritual commitments, Prophet Israel Ogundipe, popularly known as Prophet Genesis and the presiding Pastor of Genesis Global Church, has advised Christians against paying their first fruit offering if it comes at the expense of their personal or family financial well-being.
The cleric emphasized that God prioritizes the comfort and security of His children over rigid financial sacrifices that lead to hardship. He highlighted growing concerns among many believers, especially at the beginning of the year, about how to cope financially after giving their first fruit.
“Because it is the first month of the year, many people usually bring this offering, and a lot of them are worried about how they would cope financially if they pay,” Prophet Genesis stated.
He shared a real-life example involving a church member who received N500,000 and intended to use the entire sum as first fruit, driven by fears of missing out on God’s blessings if he didn’t. The prophet intervened, rejecting the idea and delivering a powerful reminder:
“When it got to my table, I told him that God would not want his mum to live on the street or be chased out of her house, and that God does not want His children to be in discomfort.”
Prophet Genesis stressed that while spiritual giving is important, it should never cause unnecessary suffering or instability for individuals or their families. His counsel serves as a balanced perspective on faith and responsibility, urging believers to give joyfully and wisely without endangering their basic welfare.
This advice comes as many Nigerians navigate economic pressures in 2026, where the start-of-year first fruit tradition remains popular in various churches, often tied to expectations of divine favor and prosperity.The message from Prophet Genesis encourages a compassionate approach to stewardship: Honor God generously, but always protect the well-being of your household first.
What are your thoughts on balancing first fruit giving with family responsibilities? Share in the comments!
The cleric emphasized that God prioritizes the comfort and security of His children over rigid financial sacrifices that lead to hardship. He highlighted growing concerns among many believers, especially at the beginning of the year, about how to cope financially after giving their first fruit.
“Because it is the first month of the year, many people usually bring this offering, and a lot of them are worried about how they would cope financially if they pay,” Prophet Genesis stated.
He shared a real-life example involving a church member who received N500,000 and intended to use the entire sum as first fruit, driven by fears of missing out on God’s blessings if he didn’t. The prophet intervened, rejecting the idea and delivering a powerful reminder:
“When it got to my table, I told him that God would not want his mum to live on the street or be chased out of her house, and that God does not want His children to be in discomfort.”
Prophet Genesis stressed that while spiritual giving is important, it should never cause unnecessary suffering or instability for individuals or their families. His counsel serves as a balanced perspective on faith and responsibility, urging believers to give joyfully and wisely without endangering their basic welfare.
This advice comes as many Nigerians navigate economic pressures in 2026, where the start-of-year first fruit tradition remains popular in various churches, often tied to expectations of divine favor and prosperity.The message from Prophet Genesis encourages a compassionate approach to stewardship: Honor God generously, but always protect the well-being of your household first.
What are your thoughts on balancing first fruit giving with family responsibilities? Share in the comments!
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