I think about many things. Well…we all do, but the things I think about make me feel weird. I feel weird because I think too much and overcomplicate things. And because I feel weird, I feel alone. Not alone in the sense of sadness, but alone like – it’s likely impossible that your friends, family, or the average person is thinking of these things right now but you! So, among those things I’ve been thinking intensely about is tithing.
When I say intensely, I mean I lost about a half hour of sleep. I also dreamt about it and woke up with tithing as my first thought. The concept of tithing gets too much attention, yet too little. The good points about it are overshadowed by the bad. It’s so divisive, and I’m perplexed about it. Something that God implemented as good, is all of a sudden “demonized!” Here’s what I think. Do it. Tithe. Absolutely, tithe…but be cheerful about it.
“To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting” – Numbers 18:21.
I may be wrong, but I think people get the concept of tithing wrong. What does tithe mean? It means “a tenth part.” In Greek (dekatos), it means “ten percent of something.” Way back when the nation of Israel was instructed under the Mosaic law to tithe. The 10% given was used to support the Levites’ work in the Holy Temple and community. Tithes came in the form of livestock and agriculture. It was never in the form of money until years later.
I’m not writing this to give a whole study on tithing. I recognize that there are different camps. Just what I believe. Some people refuse to tithe because they deem it unbiblical and some don’t because they believe they don’t have to. Some tithe and give the full 10% because – “the law”. Others tithe and give what they can. I tithe because I do believe we should, but I don’t always tithe 10%. I may give a little more, and when it’s tight – I give a little less.
8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. – Malachi 3:8-9
I remember a few years ago, I was on my knees praying to the Lord. I was asking the Lord to speak to my heart. To reveal to me what He wanted me to know. While on my knees, I received a vision.
I approached what appeared to be 2 giant Pringles cans parallel to each other, haha. They were actually pillars, but the Pringles look was a nice touch. It surely caught my attention. As I passed the pillars, I saw a beautiful temple made of gold. And just like a scene out of a movie, I got a panoramic view of how big the temple was.
As I marveled at the temple, suddenly, I saw someone creeping up the temple steps. 😮🤔 Wondering who it was I watched intently waiting to see their face. After a few steps, the person turned and peered over their shoulder. To my shock, the person was – ME!! 🤯🤯🤯 This was so strange! How was this person ME!
This “ME” didn’t match my character. I…”ME” was giggling so sneakily! Squinched face, hunched back, greedy hands, and a sneer that even the “father of lies” would love. If that is what I look like trying to be sneaky, God help me! So, this “me” thought no one was watching and snuck into the temple. I felt like a “fly on a wall”. I watched in awe at how no sooner did “me” enter the temple, this “me” crept out giggling with an armful of gold! After the coast was clear, she ran away.
Stunned, I spoke aloud and said, “OH NO LORD!! I would NEVER do that!!!” As if I would dare go into a temple and steal anything. Not even a penny! Unbeknownst to me, I was caught in a lie. I then heard Him speak, “Never say never. You steal when you don’t tithe.” 😑 Touche!
God didn’t curse me, and He wasn’t angry either. Thankfully, we live in a time of grace, and I have a good good Father. He was gentle actually, and while I felt guilty it was funny. I couldn’t help but laugh. I repented and have tithed ever since.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ …40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me‘ (Matthew 25:35-40).
Come now, did you think I was a legit thief? Like, did I in my lifetime steal from a bank, friend, family member, or store? No, but it’s ok! I would have thought the same since I was caught in that lie. The only thing I ever stole was time…from a job…I digress. Nonetheless, there was a lesson to be learned from my vision. Give, don’t take.
You may think I was scared into tithing. No, it actually gave me a healthy fear of the Lord – reverence. It taught us (my husband and I) to trust Him with what little we had. Eventually, I realized that nothing we had belonged to us. We were just stewards. This happened so early in my walk, so I didn’t realize the deeper meaning of what He was trying to show me. Today, as I write this it reminds me of the verse above. This is the meaning of tithing to me. Giving to give back.
Not everyone has the means to give a full tithe. So would God not bless you because you can’t? No. He doesn’t need our money. He wants your heart. Give what you can. If giving causes you to fret or frown, then you have a heart issue. I pray you’ll seek the Lord.
In all, I won’t get caught up in the divisiveness of tithing. I choose to give as my heart leads. To give beyond the tithe when I’m able. To give when the Lord leads me to. I choose to tithe to help my church. To give to bless another. I choose to be a cheerful giver, and I’ll tithe with the right intent. How about you?
theOlivetbee 