It’s not often that you see a real tangible example of God’s word displayed in everyday life. It was harvest Sunday at the church we were working at in Kisoro, Uganda. I wasn’t really sure what harvest Sunday meant but it seemed like it was a big deal. You see, in many parts of the world I have worked in this year, growing crops is not only a livelihood, but the only way a family can eat. It is a far cry from the American culture of fast food, prepackaged ready-made meals, dinners out, and instant gratification. Just to survive people have to slave over their crops with tender love and care in hopes the soil will yield enough for their families. In addition, if people want to be able to afford other things they cant grow, they need to be able to sell their crops at the street market. Therefore, it is a necessity that the highest level of quality is attained just so a family can get the bare minimum.
Back to church on Sunday, it was time for tithes and offerings. African women began to walk foreword with beautiful baskets on top of their heads, in true African style. I didn’t understand what was going on at first. Then one by one I saw them lay their baskets full of sorghum and beans at the foot of cross. Then it hit me, they were giving God their first fruits, literally. They didn’t have money to offer but they could offer God the best of their crops. What a beautiful example of the word living and breathing. We read verses that instruct us how to live, but how often are we in a cultural context where the literal translation is displayed? The first fruits are the best of their crops, the top quality of what was grown. They were giving with joy on their faces laying their offerings before the Lord. Not only were their offerings the best they had but they decorated the baskets in fine linen and flowers to make it a beautiful sacrifice to the King.
I must say it put my heart in check. So often I am not a cheerful giver. I do what I feel is necessary, but not always out of the joy of my heart. Do I always give my best? If my offerings were represented with crops, would it be adorned with flowers and the most precious portion that I have or would it be the bottom of the barrel, what I have left over? So often we come into countries and situations being asked to teach and preach, to share what we know about God. But that day in a little church in the mountains of Uganda, I think I learned much more than I could have ever taught them.
