And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is Holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be Holy; it shall not be redeemed. These are the Commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai. (Lev. 27:30-34)
God had commanded a portion of the increase in flocks, herds, and land be given back to Him as a payment towards the work of the temple and the priests. Any vows unto the Lord were also paid to the temple as belonging to God. The tithe and payments were commanded to support God’s work and the servants of the Lord. They were holy as belonging to the Lord and were to be brought unto Him throughout the year to keep up the temple and support the Levites and priests which worked in the temple and served the Lord.
Today, we are not commanded to bring tithes but we are to give unto God in support of the ministry. God has told those of us who are of His Church by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to give and to give cheerfully to support His work and His mission of Evangelism, Ministry, and Discipleship. His people are tasked with reaching the lost, teaching the saved, and preaching the Gospel, and to support those who are doing the work of the Lord with all our blessings. He provides that we might give to His ministers and servants. He does not command a set amount that we can then check off as ‘done that’, but for us to give from our hearts as He leads us in obedience and love of Him who has redeemed us from our sin and paid it all in our place. We love Him who first loved us and give to Him who gave Himself for our sin and that we might have eternal and abundant life.
God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet