As a child, I remember liking the candy bar “Three Musketeers.” The slogan for the candy suggested the bar was so big it could be divided into three pieces and shared with friends. Whenever I got one of these candy bars, my grandfather would always remind me to share with my sister and friend. I really didn’t want to share at all. It took me a few years to fully grasp the concept of sharing.
I’ll bet there were some Israelites who felt like I did as a child. Give the first fruits of my crops to God? Really? Once they realized the importance of thanking God for all they had, I’m sure they were more willing to give. But what about verse 12: “When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.” I’m sure giving to the Levites and widows would have been fairly easy to accept, but giving it away to foreigners (strangers)? Where do we draw the line on giving?
The Israelites needed to be reminded that it was God who was blessing them with abundance, it was God who had brought them to the Promised Land, it was God who performed miracles to get them to the land flowing with milk and honey, and it was God who had saved them. How much more did they need to hear? A thankful person would naturally want to praise and worship God by giving offerings to their savior; wouldn’t they?
Sadly, even today there are many in our churches who do not give to God any acknowledgement through tithes and offerings. Who’s going to tell the people that if it weren’t for God, they would have nothing?
May we all realize that giving unto God isn’t just money; it’s giving a portion of what he has already given us — time, talent and treasures.
Remember Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
David Blythe, Lenoir, N.C.
Extended Scripture: Deuteronomy 26–27 (NIV)
