“When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled, then you shall say before the Lord your God… ‘I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me.’ You have declared today that the Lord is your God, and that you will walk in his ways, and keep his statutes and his commandments and his rules, and will obey his voice. And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession, as he has promised you, and that you are to keep all his commandments, and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honor high above all nations that he has made, and that you shall be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.” (v12-13a,14bc,17-19)
Two days ago we discussed how we are to set aside a portion of our resources for tithing, and another portion for those who are in need. This passage confirms that, and equates giving to those in need with tithing, implying they are one and the same.
If we think about it, the two greatest commandments are intrinsically linked. If we truly love God, we would be in alignment with His heart and love for others. If we truly love others, in a way we’re loving God, in whose image they are created. Tithing is investing resources into God’s kingdom, and God’s kingdom consists of people, the living stones from which the church is/will be built. It makes sense that tithing resources to God is the same as giving to those in need. All are in need, our needs just look different from person to person.
When we tithe, we need to be intentional with the attitude of our heart – we should give joyfully unto the Lord, and not begrudgingly. “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:6-8)
One further note on tithing, as mentioned in the verses above, we need to give as the Spirit leads (“as we have decided in our hearts”). Please keep in mind that the Holy Spirit will gladly direct our hearts as to where and how much we should give. We need to ask Him and listen to His response, and He will guide us. This process will look a little different for everyone, but God is faithful to guide us if we’re faithful to seek His counsel.
So you may be wondering why it’s important that we obey the Lord in tithing, or in other commandments, and this passage gives us some insight into the question. It says (paraphrased) that if we keep His commandments, we will be His treasured people, elevated above other (gentile) nations. Essentially we will be a city on a hill, a beacon of hope that there is a meaningful way to live in this broken world. Many people lose their way due to a lack of purpose or meaning – God provides those things and sets our feet on solid ground (Christ the solid rock), versus the foundation of sand that the world offers. By obeying God, we are God’s living testament to this world, bringing glory to God and hope to the hopeless.
Father God, Lord of Heaven and Earth, holy is Your name. Thank you for the reminder of Your constant presence and guidance. Thank you for continually encouraging us to obey Your every command, those which You have written on our hearts. Thank you for providing a way for us to care for the Levite, sojourner, fatherless and widows. Thank you for enabling us to give generously as You lead, and for building up Your kingdom here on earth. Father may Your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. All honor, glory and praise be to You, O Lord God Almighty. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training