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 commmittment 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 Numbers 18:24
Numbers 18:24 – For the tithe of the people of Israel, which they present as a contribution to the LORD, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said of them that they shall have no inheritance among the people of Israel.”
Many in the tithing community dwell on this verse for it provides critical information to support their cause. It was just a few days ago, I listened to a preacher, advocating tithing through a clear exegetical dissertation on our verse above.
If this rings true for my reader, I have a bridge in Connecticut that I am selling. Taking all offers!
Our passage this morning is not a strong verse for those who advocate tithing. As a matter of fact, I believe this passage is one that is conveniently avoided, for if the tithe is an ongoing command of God, this verse tacks on another command that might not be so appealing.
In our previous post on Leviticus 18:21, we spoke of the necessity of any man receiving tithes as to his requirement of proving his Levitical bloodline. Moses repeats this requirement in our passage this morning, adding that though the tithe was presented to the LORD, the Levites received the tithe directly from the hand of God. With one caveat, one condition or limitation.
In our passage this morning, the topic of tithing began in verse 20, with the LORD informing Aaron regarding the Levitical inheritance, and a restriction.
Numbers 18:20 And the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.
The one receiving the tithe was to have no earthly inheritance in the land. No land! No portion amongst their brothers in the nation. The portion for the Levite was the LORD GOD Himself.
Given this truth, may I ask if those teaching tithing will be obedient to this principle. Will those who receive the tithe, be satisfied with the LORD GOD alone, rejecting any participation in acquiring or holding a “portion” or “land” as they serve?
We need to understand that there are many small church pastors that are suffering in their financials in order to serve the living God. To them I want to provide encouragement and hope. May the Lord continue to provide for you directly by His hand.
But let us not be deceived. Some receiving the tithe are not rejecting this ownership of land or portion, but are completely dedicated to adding to their portions and land acquisition, filling their earthly coffers. These are men and women that have abandoned any fidelity to the Word in relation to their support, and are running headlong into destruction.
Numbers 18:24 gives us the restrictions the Levitical priest were to abide by in the receiving of the tithe.
For those who adhere to the tithing teaching, consider the requirements and the restrictions of those who received tithes in the old economy.
As New Testament believers, we are in a much much better state of affairs with the Living God. Of course, if you consider going back to prison a positive step forward in our walk with the Christ, you may want to read the book of Galations!
Galatians 3:23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.
My brother and sister in the Lord, consider the original purpose and use of the tithe. The intended recipients of the tithe. Can we honestly associate this law based support for a special bloodline of Israel with the grace based life we have in Christ?
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
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