” ‘To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting, so that the people of Israel do not come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe. And your contribution shall be counted to you as though it were the grain of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. So you shall also present a contribution to the Lord from all your tithes, which you receive from the people of Israel.’ ” (v21-28a abr)
This chapter reiterates how the Priests and Levites will not own property (herds, land, farms, etc.) but they will be supported by Israel’s offerings and tithes. We are also told they need to tithe from the tithe, meaning the best 10% of the best 10% of Israel goes to God, and the Levites live off of the other 90% of Israel’s tithe.
Really, the priests and Levites get the best deal here for serving God. If you do the math, God only gets 1/100th of what Israel produces, but that’s fine since it’s His law, He is a God of abundance not greed, and He gifted all of these provisions to Israel in the first place.
Jesus famously said: ” ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ ” (Mt 6:19-21) Jesus also observed a poor widow tithing a “few cents” and stated ” ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’ ” (Mk 12:41-44)
Jesus taught that the physical things of this world were temporary and worthless in light of eternity, so we are to hang onto them with a loose grip, giving of them freely and generously with a thankful heart.
My takeaway today is an increased understanding of how the practice of tithing produces humility and a loving attitude toward God, as well as a spirit of thankfulness. I believe tithing is for the benefit of God’s people, not God. God doesn’t need the material resources that He created and gave to us – He desires our partnership and humble obedience, the sacrifices of our hearts which draw us nearer to Him.
Father God, we praise You for You alone are worthy of praise. Father we praise You with our lips, our bodies, our service, and our tithes. Father please accept our offerings out of our heart of love for You. Please humble our hearts and teach us thankfulness if our offerings are not pleasing to You. May we seek only to please You, and not worry about pleasing this world with a display of wealth or power. All wealth, both eternal and temporary, come from You. All honor, glory and praise be to You, the Lord of abundant grace, mercy and blessing. In Jesus’ holy name we ask this, amen.
~ Timothy