You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe fruits, and of the outflow of your presses: the firstborn of your sons shall you give unto me.
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Ambrose of Milan
AD 397
Those emotions therefore which are morally good are the first fruits of our senses, whereas the others are of common and indifferent stock. This classification was used by Moses, following in that respect the language of the Jews, in his reference to the threshing floor of the law: “The tithes of your threshing floor and of your wine vat you shall not delay to pay: you shall give the firstborn of your sons to me.” All the morally good emotions of your senses are the first fruits of the threshing floor of the soul in such a manner as grain is separated in an actual barn floor. .
Tithes. Hebrew, "thy plentitude, (first-fruits and tithes) and thy tears "(or liquors distilled form odoriferous trees) in a word, all that is most excellent. Censorinus (de die nat.) says, excellently well: "They who acknowledged that they had received food, a country, light, and even their very persons, from the bounty of the gods, failed not to consecrate a part of all to the gods.to the temples and chapels, where they worshipped them. "(Calmet)
The law says, “You shall not delay in offering your tithes and first fruits.” But grace says, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you have and give to the poor.” .
