Rejoice in Tithing
God uses your tithing to build you, build his Kingdom and build community.
When we enjoy what God gives us, instead of pursue what God gives us, we are able to come to the last thing we rejoice about…
Giving our tithe.
“And you may spend the money on whatever your heart desires: on oxen, sheep, wine, other strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.”
Deuteronomy 14:22-29 describes the tithe. This verse specifically describes what happens if you live too far away from the giving center. If you live too far away, cash in what you saved for your tithe, then buy what you want when you get to the place God establishes his name at and then rejoice as you enjoy.
Very different than how we do tithe now.
The principle is the same. Is tithing a rejoicing for you? Or is it done out of duty? Or do you skip the tithe?
When we rejoice in salvation, suffering and our God-given lot in life, giving and rejoicing about the tithe come much easier.
How does someone rejoice over giving money away?
You rejoice over the provision God gives. God gave you the talents to get a job to make money. He provides all the shelter, food and fun you pay for. Rejoicing when you tithe is an outflow of what he has done in you and through you.
You rejoice over the provision for his Kingdom your tithe goes to. The tithe goes to helping your church advance the Kingdom into the world. Celebrate the work your church is able to do because of your tithe.
You rejoice over the community your tithe builds. There are people dependent upon your tithe. In the Old Testament, the Levites didn’t have an inheritance in the land. Meaning they could make no other living except for what the people gave through a tithe. There are people and families depending on your tithe to live. Dependence upon each other builds community. And then when you give in to fund a mission with others, community is also built over shared purpose.
Sitting and watching is consuming. Which is good, when we also contribute. Be someone who rises higher than consuming. Contribute to the mission God has for the church you attend and/or serve.
You are vital to building the community and mission that God wants to build. When you tithe, and rejoice in your tithing, you get the chance to be a part of building the community God wants to build in you…and through you.