What Is the Tithe For?
In its purest form, tithe was for the most vulnerable.
Did you know the initial purpose of the tithe was to take care of those who couldn’t take care of themselves?
“At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.”
As worship became more complex and added a building (Tabernacle/Temple), the tithe was to help upkeep of the building and the system.
But in it’s purest form, the tithe was for the:
Levite. Those who had no land in the inheritance. Their only provision was through the tithe. Now, this is pastors and ministers. Tithe so they can provide for their family.
Foreigner. Think Ruth. Those who decide YHWH was the one true God and made the choice to come into the people of God. Until they were able to be established, they could not provide for themselves.
Orphan. Children without parents were not able to take care of themselves. Very vulnerable.
Widows. Once a woman lost her husband, they became incredibly vulnerable to people taking advantage of them.
Don’t tithe to check off your spiritual duty. For the youngest in church, this is probably the last reason you will tithe. Spiritual duty is at the bottom of the list of why you do anything spiritual.
Do tithe to make sure the mission of your church is fueled financially. To reach the nations, it takes money. Help your church reach their mission. Don’t just give. Pray and go too. You’ll be changed by all three.
Do tithe so the ministers who work to lead you spiritually are provided for.
Do tithe so your church can help the most vulnerable. If you do tithe, it is ok to make sure your church gives money to the most vulnerable.
Rejoice in tithing because of how God has provided for you. God brings Life to those who give. If you don’t give, you miss out on how God can use you to build his church and his Kingdom around the world.