A Different Type of Tithe

Cheerful

22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 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 revere the LORD your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.-Deuteronomy 14:22-28

What is remarkable about this passage is the joy inherent in tithing. They are to come together to actually enjoy (and physically eat) their tithes. Perhaps if we readily associated our tithing with a celebration, it would involve such joy. Really, we do have many celebrations at church. The church gives us comfort, support, oftentimes even a fellowship meal. If we were to all tithe at the end of the month, during a fellowship meal or celebration... perhaps we would understand the tithe- giving to the work of the church that gives so much to us... setting aside a small portion of what we have for the Lord. He wants us to enjoy the fruits of our labor, and we can do so in His presence.


Sharing

28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. -Deuteronomy 14:22-28

Additionally, it is evident that we are to share our tithes. The Church of the Nazarene, I've noticed, is good about this. They set apparent a portion of their funds in order to give to Missions each month. This is something that I love about the Iglesia, because despite an untuned piano and a building that could use at least a few improvements, they know how important it is to share with those who are even more unfortunate. Are we looking out for those aliens, fatherless, those who have no allotment of their own?


Complete

41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[f]worth only a fraction of a penny.[g]
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." -Mark 12:41-44

And as in this familiar story, we should not give in part by the whole. It all belongs to Him. Give Him your whole heart, all that you have to live on, because that's what Jesus gave to us.