The Law of God Miscellanies (10)

“You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.” Deuteronomy 14.22, 23

Reflect and discuss.
1.  What is a “tithe”? Ancient Jews tithed from their material resources. How should Christians practice the tithe?

2.  What connection could there possibly be between tithing and fearing the Lord?

Think about it.
How does the tithe help to teach us to fear the Lord?

I can think of several ways. First, as we tithe we are reminded that God requires the tithe as a demonstration of His right and power over us, whom He has created and redeemed. We are His servants, according to whatever He requires of us, and for our good and His glory. When we obey His Word, we enter into His promised blessings; however, we are reminded that God stands ready to discipline those who will not obey His Word (Heb. 12.3-11). 

Second, the tithe reminds us that the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (Ps. 24.1). He gives and He takes away, and He is exceedingly generous toward us in all things, for which we should cultivate and express gratitude through obedience. Ingratitude is a great sin, and God does not wink at sin. 

Third, the tithe acknowledges that God is loving and kind in all His ways, and that He is powerful to create, sustain, and save us, and all the world as well. As we tithe, we remember the great power and kindness of God toward all creation, power so great that it should cause us to tremble before Him. 

And perhaps finally, because tithing was a public act, it was therefore part of what God required for a healthy, just community. Failure to tithe would be a betrayal of the community of the Lord and of His chosen servants, and fear of betraying the community loomed large in the souls of faithful Israelites (cf. Ps. 73.15).

Most Christians do not tithe, even though Jesus said we should (Matt. 23.23). Our attitude is that our belongings and resources are ours, and we will give to God as we are able, after all our needs and desires have been met.

Is it any wonder that the fear of God is so little in evidence among the followers of Christ, when we will not observe even this clear and easy to implement requirement?

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Read Matthew 23.23. According to Jesus, what things ought we to do?

2.  Why do you suppose more Christians today do not tithe? How would you encourage a new believer to begin tithing and keep up tithing? Why should he?

3.  How can being faithful in tithing help us to grow in the fear of God? Is it important that we fear God (Deut. 10.12-13; Lk. 12.4, 5)? Explain.

“Therefore the God of all things says through the prophet, ‘And now, Israel, what does the Lord require from you but to do justice and to love and seek mercy and to be prepared to follow the Lord your God.For the genuine faith of those being saved is seen in their exceeding readiness to follow.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

Lord, You know whether I am faithful in this matter. Help me to…

Pray Psalm 116.12-18.
Listen as you pray, and let the Lord lead you to understand the offerings He requires of you. Commit yourself to giving them.

Psalm 116.7-14 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
And dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
And pay my vows most truly.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.