As believers, we are called by God to follow after Jesus in all our actions and attitudes. How we relate to money in included in our following after Him.
As mentioned in my introduction to this series, my family and I have been impacted a number of times in our church attendance by what appears to be the pull of money on church leadership. During our Christian pilgrimage, a number of churches, through thier leadership, have made decisions that directly impacted our status within the body of believers.
Some of these instances provided us reason to dig into the Word, to find correction in our own personal relationship to money, to try to understand the wisdom of a church leader’s decision, and in the end to apply God’s will for our own finances.
Little did we know the tremendously corrosive power the love of money has over our own hearts, and by extrapolation, the church as a whole. This should not surprise the believer for Paul provided a harsh truth on this topic.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Alternately, the writer of Hebrews also provided no better command, (and for some believer’s no harder command) than found in Hebrews 13.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Many of our experiences have included the topic of tithing in the church. Personally, our denominational background considers tithing to be Biblically mandated on the New Testament believer. I understand many denominations consider tithing to be an important committment of the believers relationship to the church body.
Let’s take a look at this topic, and consider each passage that contains a reference to tithing.
This post will consider 2 Chronicles 31:12
2 Chronicles 31:12 – And they faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes, and the dedicated things. The chief officer in charge of them was Conaniah the Levite, with Shimei his brother as second,
This passage follows the previous post, where the people of God brought offerings and tithes “and laid them in heaps.”
Now before we begin to imagine the “heaps” were simply piles of offerings and tithes stacked in the corner of the temple, maybe 6 or 7 feet tall
No, this is not what happened. Let’s consider the description provided by the Word in understanding the volume of offerings and tithes brought to the Temple
2 Chronicles 31:7 In the third month they began to pile up the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
The people delivered support for the Levites and temple maintenance for four months! After the Passover the impact of the celebration continued for 4 months. During this period of renewed fervor of the people of God, a logistical problem arose. What to do with the abundance?
2 Chronicles 31:9 And Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps.
Surely the questions included the volume of the offerings and tithes remaining after the Levites taken their support, the food they required for their service.
2 Chronicles 31:10 Azariah the chief priest, who was of the house of Zadok, answered him, “Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left, for the LORD has blessed his people, so that we have this large amount left.”
Even after the Levites accepted the support, there was a large amount left. This is an incredible response of the people, but it does raise some questions.
How were the Levites existing prior to this show of obedience? They had no land, and no opportunity to produce their own food, for they were assigned to live a life of dependance on the people’s tithe and offering. Prior to this abundance, the Levites must have suffered much, living in a poverty inflicted by the nation’s indifference to the God of Israel.
Now that a period of resurgence of the people’s obedience rose, the Levites were experiencing an abundance they had never seen, and by the wisdom of Hezekiah, he had previously appointed the priests and Levites into their divisions and service.
2 Chronicles 31:2 ESV – And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the LORD and to give thanks and praise.
It seems, if I am reading this right, that some, if not many of the Levites had abandoned their positions. If this wasn’t the case, why is Hezekiah having to “appoint” them in their divisions and service? Is it correct to state that the lack of offerings and tithes had actually decimated the Levitical order?
If my assumptions are correct, this texts speaks to the people of God to be faithful in supporting those called to minister. Though the tithe is not of the New Covenant, the principle of providing to those who have consecrated themselves to the ministry is still applicable.
For the New Testament believer, this passage provides a reminder to the faithful to support those who are living a life of service for God, a life that focuses on God’s call, whether they are supported or not.
Paul, as an example of a man called by God, continued in his calling whether he was supported or not.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Do you know a man or woman who would serve the Lord full time, even if the funds dried up, even if any contract he may have entered into for a salary to minister evaporated?
As you may know, I am of the opinion salaries for ministers, and contracts for ministry is not the ideal for the church. We are to support those in ministry, but not be contractually bound. Nevertheless, this passage reminds me that believers are to provide free will support for those committed to the work of the Lord.
What think ye? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for joining and Considering The Bible with me. Your thoughts are always welcome, and I look forward to hearing of the faithfulness of God in your lives.
