How can we apply the principle of tithing in our modern lives? Setting the Scene Deuteronomy 14:23 says, “And you are to eat the tithe of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.” What the Tithe Meant in Moses’ Day • A literal tenth of produce and livestock • Brought to the chosen place of worship • Enjoyed in fellowship before the LORD • Purpose: teach reverent dependence (“that you may learn to fear the LORD”) Timeless Purposes Revealed • Worship: giving the first and best declares God owns it all (Proverbs 3:9) • Trust: surrender of 10 % trains the heart to rely on His provision (Malachi 3:10) • Celebration: the tithe funded communal joy in God’s presence • Support: Levites, widows, orphans, and strangers benefited (Deuteronomy 14:28-29) Stepping Into the Principle Today The Mosaic ceremonial details are fulfilled in Christ, yet the underlying principle of first-portion giving remains: • Jesus affirmed tithing while condemning hypocrisy (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42). • The early church practiced generous, systematic giving (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). • God’s ownership has not changed; neither has His call to honor Him with our substance. Practical Pathways for Modern Disciples 1. Start with the first tenth of every increase—salary, business profit, gifts. 2. Give it off the top, not after expenses, modeling “firstfruits.” 3. Direct it primarily to the local church, the present-day storehouse for gospel ministry, then overflow into missions, mercy, and the needy. 4. Turn the act into worship: present your tithe thoughtfully, thanking God for His faithfulness. 5. Involve the whole family—share testimonies of God’s provision and let children see generosity lived out. 6. Review annually: as income grows, guard against shrinking percentages. 7. When finances are tight, keep the discipline; the tithe is training wheels for greater faith. Promises Attached • “Test Me in this,” says the LORD, promising opened windows of heaven (Malachi 3:10-12). • “God is able to make all grace abound to you” (2 Corinthians 9:8). • Obedience to this principle invites divine protection and sufficiency. Checking Our Hearts • Motive matters: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). • The tithe is the floor, not the ceiling—free-will offerings flow beyond the tenth. • Giving is not a tax but a declaration: “Yours, LORD, is the greatness…for all that is in heaven and earth is Yours” (1 Chronicles 29:11). |
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