Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30, ESV)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (Malachi 3:10, ESV)
I have heard the about tithing from the above two portion a lot. Pastors especially in pentecostal churches bring it up before an offering is collected. There are times when a pastor may repeat it, especially during Christmas and New year services when the need is a lot and income is less. I have been to prosperity churches where they misuse these verses a lot, even in some cases where they make it like a ponzi scheme where you gain 10 dollars / pounds / euros or rupees for every 1 you give away and then there are accompanied testimonials from the richest in the meeting.
I struggle with tithing. Not that I oppose giving money to church or for the Kindgoms cause but rather I find it very hard sometimes to let it go.
For me tithing was a obligatory act. It had to be done. I did not believe but this thought often crossed my mind 'if you don't tithe, God will take what belongs to him in him manner" and also "If you don't tithe, there is no protection over your belongings". I am not a materialistic person but these are the lessons I have been drilled properly with.
My wife helps me in my weakness when I think of such thoughts to get me back to a stable place. So with these thoughts and the lessons I been indoctrinated with, tithing had been difficult, a non enjoyable process.
Today I was learning about the Holy communion from a podcast based on Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. He read this portion:
And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. (Deuteronomy 14:23, ESV)
Really?
Yup, the tithe was enjoyable, it meant for them to come and feast with God enjoying what God gave them. My son draws scribbles now. Sometimes he brings his work and try in baby language to explain it to me. This is a small analogy. We need to take our tithe, sit down with God and give it to him and then enjoy with him in this offering.
How can I achieve this?
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