ABSOLUTE COMPLIANCE OR NOTHING: Devotion for Tuesday August 9, 2016

ABSOLUTE COMPLIANCE OR NOTHING: Devotion for Tuesday August 9, 2016

Text: Leviticus 27:26 – 34                

Memory verse: Leviticus 27:30 – And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.

For the past five days, we have been reading about reasons why we should pay our tithes. We saw five reasons why we should pay tithe. As a reminder, the five reasons are: A means of providing for the church, providing for the less privileged in the society, a means of insurance and assurance, covenant to receive more and a test of our obedience.

Tithing is an obligation on us Christians. It is not negotiable or optional just as we have in our memory verse for the day. In our text we have things that are God’s which cannot be redeemed. However, 27:31 says, “If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it.” Things or persons devoted are distinguished from things or persons that were only sanctified.

Devoted things were most holy to the Lord, and could neither be taken back nor applied to other purposes. Many of us no longer remember that we have fruit of the trees and the seed of the land belongs to the Lord. Presently, our emphasis is on money alone. For those who owe fruit bearing trees, you shouldn’t forget this instruction here. The essence of these laws is to help us acknowledge God as the owner of our land, the giver of its fruits, and ourselves as His tenants, and dependants upon Him.    

Many of the principles regarding sacrifices and tithes were intended to encourage inward attitudes as well as outward actions. The inward attitude include obedience, faith, dependence on God, etc while the outward action includes honour for God, dedication, commitment, etc. This teaches us to honour the Lord with our substance (Proverbs 3:9). If a person gives grudgingly, it shows that he has a stingy heart. God wants us to be cheerful givers (2 Cor. 9:7), who give with gratitude to Him. Remember, what God requires from us in tithes and offerings are obedience, gratitude and honour for Him. He doesn’t even eat or use them. They are reserved for His services.    

Food for Thought: Do you give grudgingly or cheerfully?

Prayer: Almighty God, help me to acknowledge and appreciate you as the source of all that I have and all that I am in Jesus name.