Readings for today: Deuteronomy 13-14, Psalms 57
When I first became a Christian, I was taught to give a tithe to the Lord. One tenth of all I made belonged to Him. Give it to the church. Give it to different ministries. Support missionaries. It didn’t matter so much who you gave it to as long as it furthered God’s Kingdom causes. My wife and I have never wavered in our commitment to give at least ten percent of our income to the Lord but when you read the Old Testament, you find out really quickly that “tithing” involves more than simply giving ten percent away.
Yes, the ancient Israelites were commanded to give ten percent to the priests each year. Since the priests were dedicated to the service of God, they needed the proceeds from the annual tithe to live on. However, it is clear from our reading today that the Lord commanded the Israelites to set aside a second tithe. This second tithe provided the food and drink for them to eat when they traveled to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. If they were close to Jerusalem, they would bring their food with them. If they were far from Jerusalem, they would convert it to cash and buy what they needed when they arrived. Then the Lord commands a third tithe. This one was to be given every three years and it was for the poor, the fatherless, and the widow. In other words, this was the welfare system of ancient Israel. So if you do the math, the practice of “tithing” actually ends up being 23% a year!
So what principles should guide the Christian as they give? After all, priests and pastors make salaries. We don’t have to leave our work in order to travel multiple times a year for annual festivals in Jerusalem. And our government provides a social safety net to take care of the poor in our midst. Does this mean we are off the hook? Not at all. Over and above the required tithes, the ancient Israelites also brought “freewill offerings” to the Lord. They would give above and beyond their ancient taxation system in order to further God’s work in the world. And the New Testament calls us to do the same. The Apostle Paul - raised in the ancient taxation system of ancient Israel as a former Pharisee - writes these words to the Corinthian church, “The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver…You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 11-12 CSB) Essentially he’s talking about the principles guiding freewill offerings.
Frankly, I think the tithe is too low a standard. If the ancient Israelites - who were largely poor, agrarian farmers - gave generously above and beyond the required tithes, should not we - who live in one of the wealthiest nations in human history - do the same? It’s why my wife and I have committed to growing our giving with each passing year. And here’s what we’ve learned. The more we give, the more God entrusts into our hands. We simply cannot outgive God! He enriches us in every way so we can be even more generous. It’s truly amazing and one of the most concrete ways we experience His miracles on a regular basis.
Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 15-16, Psalms 58