Founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, has urged worshippers to embrace the biblical principle of first fruits, describing it as a spiritual act of sacrifice that precedes divine favour and lasting testimonies.

Delivering a sermon during a Sunday service at the church’s headquarters in Warri, Delta State, Prophet Fufeyin called on Christians to dedicate the first earnings of the year to God, warning that neglecting this ancient practice could hinder spiritual and material growth.

“Your first income is not ordinary,” he told the congregation. “Let it bend you. Try God with it.”

The preacher likened the act of giving one’s first fruits to the story of Hannah in the Bible, who gave her long-awaited son, Samuel, back to God, and to the actions of Jacob, whose strategic offering and understanding of his father’s values earned him a generational blessing.

He further drew a parallel between the concept of first fruits and Jesus Christ, whom he described as “God’s first fruit to humanity”, adding that the result of Christ’s sacrifice was the salvation of mankind.

Prophet Fufeyin’s message, which centred on the theme of sacrifice as a prerequisite for spiritual elevation, was met with strong reactions from worshippers both within the church and across social media platforms, where video clips of the sermon began circulating shortly after the service.

The cleric emphasised that first fruits are not a one-time obligation but a continual spiritual discipline, likening it to daily nourishment. “You don’t eat once and stop eating forever. Same thing with giving. Make it part of your walk with God,” he said.

Members were encouraged to present their first fruits on the final Sunday of the month, with arrangements also made for remote giving through the ministry’s bank accounts.

Online, reactions were mixed but largely supportive. A user on X, formerly Twitter, @TomiwaTheMan, wrote: “I used to think first fruits was optional, but now I see the spiritual depth. Thank you Papa J for breaking it down with scripture and fire!” Another, @Mbeng_fay, added: “Omo! The way Prophet linked Jacob, Jesus and even 419 to first fruits got me thinking deep. First fruits truly carries serious spiritual weight.”