What steps can we take to faithfully implement tithing as instructed in Deuteronomy? Setting the Foundation: What Tithing Meant in Deuteronomy 14:22 “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.” (Deuteronomy 14:22) • In Israel, the tithe was a literal tenth of the annual harvest. • It acknowledged God as the true owner of the land and its yield (Leviticus 25:23). • It provided for worship, the Levites, and the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Identify the Income to be Tithed • Old-covenant Israel tithed grain, wine, oil, and livestock; we tithe our income—salary, business profit, dividends, gifts. • Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest.” • Firstfruits principle: give before spending rather than after leftovers. Calculate the Tithe Faithfully • A clear tenth: gross, not net, reflects the full increase God gives (Genesis 28:22). • 2 Chronicles 31:5-6 shows Israel bringing “the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field.” • Consistency guards against drifting into partial obedience. Bring the Tithe to the Lord’s Chosen Place • Deuteronomy 14:23: “You are to eat the tithe... in the place the LORD will choose.” • Today the local church is the gathering point of worship and ministry (1 Timothy 3:15). • Giving where we are spiritually fed mirrors Israel’s journey to the tabernacle/temple. Celebrate and Worship Through the Tithe • Tithing was a feast, not a tax: “so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always” (Deuteronomy 14:23). • Financial surrender deepens our awe and joy in God’s provision. • 2 Corinthians 9:7 balances duty and delight: “God loves a cheerful giver.” Care for the Levite, the Stranger, the Fatherless, and the Widow • Every third year the tithe stayed in town for the needy (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). • Malachi 3:10 links the tithe to God’s storehouse and abundant blessing. • Acts 6:1-3 and James 1:27 echo this compassion in the New Testament. Guard the Heart: Tithing as an Act of Reverence • Luke 11:42 warns against meticulous tithing with a cold heart. Justice, mercy, and faithfulness must accompany the tenth. • Tithing trains the heart to trust God, not riches (Matthew 6:19-21). Practical Modern Application Steps 1. List every source of income; pray over it, acknowledging God’s ownership. 2. Calculate 10 percent of the gross and set it aside first—automatic transfer, separate envelope, or budget category. 3. Bring it on the first day of the week, following 1 Corinthians 16:2: “Each of you should set aside a portion of money in keeping with your income.” 4. Give through the local church; earmark additional offerings for benevolence or missions if led. 5. Review yearly; as income grows, the tithe grows. Consider offerings beyond the tithe for special needs (Philippians 4:15-18). 6. Celebrate God’s faithfulness: keep a record of His provision, share testimonies, and model generosity for the next generation. |
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