Why is adding a fifth important when redeeming tithes according to Leviticus 27:31? Setting the Scene: The Tithe and Its Redemption - The tithe—one-tenth of Israel’s produce or livestock—was holy to the LORD (Leviticus 27:30). - Sometimes a farmer needed to keep a portion of that produce for immediate use. God allowed this “redemption,” but included a specific condition: “If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.” (Leviticus 27:31) - “Add a fifth” means pay back the value of the tithe plus 20 percent. What Does “Adding a Fifth” Mean? - It is not a penalty for sin; the tithe already belongs to God. - The extra 20 percent acknowledges that lifting something out of sacred use for personal use costs more than its market price. - The additional amount is a concrete way of saying, “God’s share is weightier than my convenience.” Reasons the Fifth Matters • Safeguards God’s Holiness – Anything dedicated becomes “most holy to the LORD” (Leviticus 27:28). – By adding a fifth, the worshiper affirms the tithe’s sanctity even while redeeming it. • Deters Manipulation – Without the surcharge, someone could perpetually swap inferior produce for tithe quality and cheat the sanctuary. – The extra cost makes redemption an exception, not a loophole. • Preserves Full Provision for the Levites – The tithe supported priests and temple ministry (Numbers 18:21). – The fifth compensates for the delay and keeps resources flowing. • Mirrors the Principle of Restitution – When wronging a neighbor, Israel was told to “add a fifth” (Leviticus 6:5; Numbers 5:7). – The same measure stresses that withholding what belongs to God demands restitution plus a premium. • Foreshadows Costly Redemption – Redemption in Scripture is never cheap. Whether it is a Passover lamb or the cross, deliverance carries a price beyond bare value (1 Peter 1:18-19). – The added fifth hints that true redemption always involves sacrificial surplus. A Pattern in God’s Law - Redeeming dedicated animals: “If he redeems it, he must add a fifth to its value.” (Leviticus 27:13) - Redeeming consecrated houses or fields: same 20 percent rule (Leviticus 27:15, 19). - The repeated fraction stitches together various commands, underscoring consistency in God’s expectations. Spiritual Lessons for Today - What we designate for God should remain His; if we must reclaim it, honor Him with more, not less. - Practical obedience protects our hearts from treating holy things as common. - Giving that costs us reminds us we are stewards, not owners (Psalm 24:1). - The pattern encourages generous, heartfelt worship—echoing Paul’s call: “excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). |
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