Restoring Apostolic Faith

When we read early Christian writings, one theme rises again and again: mercy is not an optional virtue.It is a defining characteristic of those who walk in the way of Christ. Nowhere is this clearer than in the Didache, one of the earliest Christian teaching manuals, written likely in the late first or early second century. It offers direct, practical instruction for the daily life of believers—how they prayed, worshiped, fasted, baptized, and cared for one another.

Among those instructions, the Didache speaks of giving first fruits:

“You shall give the first fruits of your wine and of your oil, and of every possession you have to the prophet; but if you have no prophet, give to the poor.” — Didache 13

This may sound surprising to the modern Christian ear. We are accustomed to hearing about tithes to the institutional church. Yet the early Christians speak not first of funding structures, but of caring for people—especially those in need. Mercy was not viewed as an extra act of kindness, but as part of one’s worship and obedience to God.

To understand this, we must trace the teaching back to Christ Himself.

Jesus and the Inheritance of Mercy

Jesus consistently directs His followers toward those who cannot repay them.

“When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed,

because they have no means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”— Luke 14:13–14 (NASB95)

The reward Jesus speaks of is not social approval, recognition, or immediate return. It is the recognition of God, who sees what is done in secret (Matthew 6:3–4). Mercy offered to those unable to repay becomes an act of faith—trusting that God Himself is the One who remembers.

When Paul returns to Jerusalem after years of ministry, the Apostles do not ask him to adopt rituals, nor to take on new theological burdens. They ask for one thing:

“They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”— Galatians 2:10 (NASB95)

Mercy was not charity in the modern sense of detached generosity. It was covenant faithfulness. To neglect the needy was to misrepresent the character of the God who had shown mercy to His people.

Why First Fruits?

First fruits, in the biblical imagination, are not about percentage or quantity. They are about priority.

The first portion of what one receives is acknowledged as belonging to God. In ancient Israel, this meant the best of the harvest was brought to the priest and given to those who served, who taught, or who had no inheritance of land. The Didache preserves this pattern—but with flexibility. If the church has no prophet or teacher dependent on the community, then the first portion goes to the poor.

This instruction reflects the same logic Jesus speaks:

• Mercy is given where it is needed most.

• Mercy is not delayed until it is convenient.

• Mercy is given before we consume for ourselves.

It is not merely the giving that matters, but the orientation of the heart.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

Our lives are different. Most of us do not bake bread in communal ovens or press olive oil. We are rarely living in the same economic structures as the early Christian communities. So how do we faithfully respond to the spirit of this teaching without slipping into either neglect or needless scrupulosity?

The first fruits principle translates today into a simple orientation:

Your first portion—your first concern—is directed toward those who cannot repay you.

This is not the same as:

• Giving only to a church institution

• Supporting programs that never touch real needs

• Donating in ways that increase one’s reputation

Rather, it means actively remembering the hungry, the overlooked, the burdened, and the forgotten.

In very practical terms, this may look like:

• Setting aside part of your monthly budget specifically for direct mercy

• Preparing a meal and intentionally setting aside a portion to give to someone in need

• Supporting widows, single parents, the elderly, or others who bear quiet burdens

• Keeping useful supplies in your vehicle for those you encounter directly

The point is not to measure crumbs or to become anxious about every meal. The early church did not approach mercy with anxiety. They approached it with attentiveness.

The command is not, “Count every bite,” but rather, “Do not forget the brother or sister who has none.”

Mercy and Atonement

There is also a deeper spiritual dimension here. The early Christians spoke clearly: mercy is not merely external charity—it transforms the giver.

“In mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing.”

— Proverbs 16:6 (NASB95, noting the LXX nuance emphasizes “acts of mercy”)

And:

“Almsgiving delivers from death and purges away every sin.”

— Tobit 12:9

This does not mean that salvation is earned. Salvation is God’s gift, through Christ. But mercy is the expression of a heart that has been reshaped by that gift. It is the external fruit of internal transformation.

The one who has received mercy learns to extend it.

The one who withholds mercy has not yet understood grace.

As St. John writes:

“But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him,

how does the love of God abide in him?”

— 1 John 3:17 (NASB95)

Practicing First Fruits Today

To live the teaching of the Didache faithfully, a Christian today may adopt three guiding practices:

1. Give the first portion of your generosity to those who cannot repay you.

This aligns your heart toward humility and compassion.

2. Let your mercy be consistent, not impulsive.

Charity is not an event—it is a habit.

3. Keep your mercy quiet.

Mercy done for recognition has already received its reward.

The early Christians did not give because the poor were a “project.”

They gave because they themselves had received mercy—and had been changed by it.

Conclusion

The teaching of the Didache remains remarkably relevant. It invites us to return to a simple, sincere expression of faith. One not built on performance, but on remembrance. One that sees everyday life—meals, resources, earnings—as occasions for worship.

When we set aside a portion for those in need, we are not simply giving away something of ours. We are acknowledging that everything we have is already God’s, and we are remembering those whom Christ remembers.

Mercy is not merely a virtue.

It is a witness.

It tells the truth about the God we serve.

To show mercy is to mirror Christ Himself.