What does "every tenth animal" teach about God's expectations for our resources? Scripture Focus “Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s staff will be holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:32) Snapshot of the Command • The instruction is simple and literal: as sheep or cattle filed past, the shepherd counted—one, two, three … ten—and the tenth was set apart for God. • No substitutions, improvements, or downgrades were allowed (Leviticus 27:33). What crossed under the staff as number ten belonged to the Lord exactly as it was. Principles Revealed • Ownership: Everything in the flock ultimately comes from and belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). • Proportionality: God asked for a fixed percentage, not a random amount, teaching equity and consistency. • Regularity: The act happened every time the animals were counted, embedding giving into the normal rhythm of life. • Trust over Control: The shepherd surrendered whichever animal was tenth—prime or scrawny—demonstrating reliance on God’s provision rather than personal selection. • Holiness of Resources: Setting aside the tenth declared that material goods can and should be consecrated for sacred purposes. God’s Expectations for Our Resources • First place in our calculations: “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your harvest” (Proverbs 3:9). • Tangible acknowledgment of His lordship: Returning a portion is a concrete confession that He is the Source. • Cheerful obedience, not reluctant compliance (2 Corinthians 9:7). • Integrity in small things: “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much” (Luke 16:10). • Ongoing, systematic generosity: “On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of your income, saving it up…” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Practical Takeaways Today • Build giving into the budget before spending begins—treat it as immovable. • Give proportionally; whether income is large or small, the percentage test levels the field. • Avoid the temptation to “swap” what seems easier to part with; God values the honesty of the count. • Let generosity flow beyond the initial percentage—offerings, acts of mercy, hospitality. • View possessions as tools for kingdom work, not as ends in themselves (Matthew 6:19-21). |
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