DAY 17: Set apart for God

Reading: Deuteronomy 14:22-29
‘set apart a tithe’ v22

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eatthe tithe of your grain, new wine and olive 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 reverethe Lord your God always. 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),then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. 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. And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.
At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, 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.

The imperative for the Hebrews was to tithe. The faithful people
were to set aside a tenth of their crop for the Lord. It was a powerful
reminder that all that they had came from God. Yes, they had worked
hard on the land but it was God who gave the increase and therefore
they were to acknowledge Him. The best quality food was to be
taken to the sanctuary and eaten there in the presence of God and in
remembrance of Him. Even in this setting there was special provision
for those with no land or family, and so in the third year the tithe
would be deposited in the town and used to help the less fortunate.

The setting aside of a tithe was important in reminding people that
they were part of a community dependent upon the faithful God who
did provide and care for them. The giving back to God was a way of
remembering this.

Today, there are many Christians who still believe that it is important to
set aside a tenth of their income for the work of God. It is something
that many in the early church would have been familiar with and it is a
useful guide as we think about regular and proportionate giving.

For further Reading: Nehemiah 10:32-39 - re-affirmation of giving in Nehemiah's
time.

To Ponder: The Church of England guidance on personal giving is 5% of
take home pay to the work of the local church and a further 5% for other charities.
How do you set your level of giving?

What level have you set for your giving this year?

To Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to examine my finances, to recognise that
all that I have comes from you and to respond in a generous way. Amen.


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