Tithe

June 23.       Psalm 32-35 

Tithe

“Then the Lord said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel. “To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.” Numbers 18:20-21 NASB1995

GOOD DAY: Tithe was an issue in the Old Testament because the Levites were to work in the tabernacle/temple of God when it was finally built. They were not to have inheritance among the tribes of Israel, God was their inheritance. For their service, God gave the tithes of the children of Israel to them. It was their salary in today’s language. They were to eat the tithe. God gave it to them as their meat. The Levites were to give a tithe of their tithe to the priest in the office of Aaron so there was provision for the upkeep of temple workers. When they did this, God blessed the people. With all the prosperity and giving messages of this dispensation, the majority of givers are poor because they are not built up as temples for God but temples for the leader or overseer of the church or their church doctrine. 

When tithes were not taken to the temple for them, the Levites left the matter of God and went to farm. The temple was neglected. “I also discovered that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers who performed the service had gone away, each to his own field. So I reprimanded the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” Then I gathered them together and restored them to their posts. All Judah then brought the tithe of the grain, wine and oil into the storehouses.” Nehemiah 13:10-12 NASB1996

There are so many poor servants of God around with no means of sustenance because very few in their midst eat the tithe of the congregation. There is enough money in the household of God to cater for His servants. 

In the early Church, tithe was  not an issue because the people gave to support everyone; no one lacked their basic needs. 

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”  Acts 4:32-35 NASB1995

Ninety percent of those who work for God as well as those who believe now are poor. On account of money, the church is mocked everyday all over the world! The early church was concerned with maintenance of people  first over building and maintenance of brick walls. Apostle Paul took collections from rich churches to those that are poor. When the needs of people are not met, the mighty buildings will soon become empty and abandoned. We are seeing it in developed countries where the government has programmes to cater for the masses. The governments took a queue from the early church to get the loyalty of the people. They provided for their basic needs. Church, evangelism and discipleship become easy, commitment to Christ works when people are taken care of by the church. Let our pastors share the people’s tithe or let the people be set free to listen to the Holy Spirit to give their tithe wherever  He leads. 

Apostle Paul gave a perspective of giving. 

“If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” 1 Corinthians 9:11 NASB1995

Those who sow spiritual things in you should be partakers in your material things, not just a pastor or whatever name the leader of the church is called. The world looks at the prosperous pastors whose lifestyles are supported by multitudes of poor people from the little they have and they mock God. It is time for the church to wake up and take back the land for the Lord by caring for the flock. 

PRAY: Dear Lord, teach our hearts to bleed for the state of the church and take us back to our roots to establish Your people in Your kingdom. 

BIBLE IN 120 DAYS. DAY 23; Galatians – Ephesians

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