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. Leviticus 27:30 KJV
The scriptures teach us in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” The passage from Leviticus reminds us that the tithe, or soil, of the land is holy unto the Lord. Every living thing comes from the ground made by the Lord God. God gives them to us for our use, but they belong to him.
Tithing is important for the survival of the church. In ancient times, the law required one tenth of the first proceeds from the land to go to the Levites who were priests. The priests, also known as sons of Aaron, ministered to the people of Israel and this was their portion of the land’s wealth. Also, a tithe was given to the poor every third year to help sustain them. Scripture records these practices as holy unto the Lord.
Good Stewards of God’s Resources
Although we are no longer under the old covenant, we are charged to be good stewards of what God gives in material wealth. Like the Israelites, God expects us to live by his word, support those in his service and give to the poor. Supporting ourselves, our families and contributing to those in need are all components of living Godly lives. After all, the earth is the Lord’s and the righteous use of its abundance is holy unto the Lord.
Especially in modern times, it is tempting to believe that we created all of this wealth and abundance. As a result, a person may tend to be selfish, forgetting that the Lord is the ultimate source. God is our provider. The Lord knows what we need and is faithful to give. We, in turn, should show the same willingness for giving. As Jesus himself commanded his disciples in Matthew 10:8, “Freely you received, so freely give. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for all that I have. Create in me a spirit that gives as freely as I receive from you. Make me a good steward of the wealth that you allow to pass through my hands. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Wisdom of God
