TITHING
(PROVIDING FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED)
Friday August 5, 2016
Text:
Deuteronomy 26: 12
Memory
verse: Deuteronomy 26:12 – When you have finished
laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year-the year of
tithing-and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the
widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled
In Deuteronomy 14:28 and 29 we have a vivid
description of what is expected of the Israelis in respect of tithing. Tithing
is also meant to provide for the less privilege in the society like the
fatherless, widows, stranger and above all, the Levites. Yesterday, we read
that tithing is a way of providing food at the storehouse in the temple. Tithing
does not end at bringing your produce to the priest in the temple or paying the
money. There are some other things expected of us if we are to reap the full
benefit of tithing.
Deuteronomy 26:15 specifically speaks of the kind of
prayers that should be said after paying tithes. It demands, asking for God’s
blessing on you and the land from where you harvested what you sow as tithe.
The land as used here in reference to your means of livelihood includes; your
office, business, your career and wherever you make your living. Negligence of doing
this may cause us our reward. Remember Daniel 10:12–14. Whenever you sow seed,
pay tithe, give alms or give your offering, always back it up with prayers so
that your reward will not be hindered. That prayer is as necessary as the paying
of tithe itself. Therefore don’t be too nonchalant about it.
Beloved in Christ, do you remember the less
privilege in your neighbourhood as you harvest your farm produce or receive
your salary? Do you make regular provision for them or you remember them only
once in a year probably during Christmas? It ought not to be so. We should have
them in our schedule of things. It is our duty to provide for them as you
receive your monthly income. If not, repent now and start. It is better late
than never.
Food
for Thought: Consider
what can you do to assist the less privileged in our society outside tithing?
Prayer Point: Grant me the grace, O Lord, to start assisting the less privileged. Help me to be faithful in taking care of them that I cross their way in Jesus name.
