Tithes

As we began our new work, it is important to understand that we are the beginning foundation of a new work. It is important as we move forward to understand our role as believers. This week study tithing and pray about your finances. We are investing in souls, and if we only reach one it will be worth more than we can possibly give. But our goal is to reach many. I pray that God will bless your finances. Pray for our new work and for our staff. I am excited about what God is going to do. I can feel such an excitement in the work we have ahead of us. This must be how Nehemiah felt when he went back to rebuild the city. Everytime something new comes to Ft Smith, the talk begins very early on. "I wonder what they are building, when is it going to open, I can't wait to go there." We are giving people that excitement about a new work in Christ. We should be spreading the word and building excitement. May God Bless your week. Stay on your knee's, and keep your nose in the book. Anything you need to know, God will show you the way and give you the peace you so desire.

Tithe

The tenth part; 1/10.

And all the TITHE of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. (Lev_27:30)

Tithe

Tithe. The proportion of property, devoted to religious uses, from very early times. Instances of the use of tithes are found, prior to the appointment, of the Levitical tithes under the law. In biblical history, the two prominent instances are --
Abram presenting the tenth of all his property, or rather of the spoils of his victory, to Melchizedek. Gen_14:20; Heb_7:2; Heb_7:6.
Jacob, after his vision at Luz, devoting a tenth of all his property to God, in case, he should return home in safety. Gen_28:22.
The first enactment of the law, in respect of tithe, is the declaration that the tenth of all produce, as well as of flocks and cattle, belongs to Jehovah and must be offered to him; that the tithe was to be paid in kind, or, if redeemed, with an addition of one fifth to its value. Lev_27:30-33 . This tenth is ordered to be assigned to the Levites as the reward of their service, and it is ordered further thatm they are themselves to dedicate to the Lord a tenth of these receipts, which is to be devoted to the maintenance of the high priest. Num_18:21-28. This legislation is modified, or extended, in the book of Deuteronomy, that is, from thirty-eight to forty years later.
Commands are given to the people. -- To bring their tithes, together with their votive, and other offerings and first-fruits, to the chosen centre of worship, the metropolis, there to be eaten in festive celebration, in company with their children, their servants and the Levites. Deu_12:5-18.
All the produce of the soil was to be tithed; and these tithes, with the firstlings of the flock and herd, were to be eaten in the metropolis.
But in case of distance, permission is given to convert the produce into money, which is to be taken to the appointed place, and there laid out in the purchase of food for a festal celebration, in which the Levite is, by special command, to be included. Deu_14:22-27.
Then follows the direction that , at the end of three years, all the tithe of that year, is to be gathered and laid up, "within the gates," and that a festival is to be held, of which the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, together with the Levite, are to partake. Deu_5:28-29.
Lastly, it is ordered that after taking the tithe in each third year, "which is the year of tithing," an exculpatory declaration is to be made by every Israelite that he has done his best to fulfill the divine command, Deu_26:12-14.
From all this we gather --
(1) That one tenth of the whole produce of the soil was to be assigned for the maintenance of the Levites.
(2) That out of this the Levites were to dedicate a tenth to God for the use of the high priest.
(3) That a tithe, in all probability a second tithe, was to be applied to festival purposes.
(4) That in every third year, either this festival tithe or a third tenth was to be eaten in company with the poor and the Levites.
(These tithes in early times took the place of our modern taxes, us well as of gifts for the support of religious institutions. -- Editor).