Tithing and Trusting

Deuteronomy 14:22–23 (ESV) “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. 23 And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.

God has already spoken to Israel about the tithe in Deuteronomy 12. 
Deuteronomy 12:5–6 (ESV) But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go, 6 and there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.

It seems even the Old Testament people of God were like normal people who need to be reminded again that tithing is not optional for God's people. 

But Deuteronomy 14 has an important stipulation. The people were to tithe so they might learn to fear the Lord always. Tithing is an issue of trust. We do not simply trust God with our future by giving what we have. We trust God's involvement in our past already providing it. A tither is living with God in mind for both their provision and ultimate sustenance to come. 

Tithing is a teacher. It teaches our heart to make God the number one priority of our lives. He, not our increase is the sustainer and giver of all we have and are. He makes us what we are. He blesses what we have. He makes us to increase and attain wealth. 

Now some people really struggle with fearing God. They want to but ultimately something else has their fear. When we fear God, we will not fear anything else. God makes it clear, the pathway to fearing God is paved with trusting God in our finances and provision. We give to God because we are training our minds and hearts to fear Him and not other things. 

I think that tithing is reminded of the Israelites so often in the Old Testament because God was truly going to bless this people abundantly. And the more dangerous place to be is sometimes to have so much we can lose touch with the God who gave it all to us. A person who gives to God refuses to let their lives be defined by what they accumulate or have. A person who gives to God regularly reminds themselves that God blessed them and that same God can bless them again. 

The New Testament people of God need to be reminded to give. 
2 Corinthians 8:10–11 (ESV) And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.

David modeled for us a heart truly trusting God in finances. Giving generously to the Temple project he declared it so very clearly:
1 Chronicles 29:16 (ESV) O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is all your own.

When we give to God we are telling Him that we really believe all things are from Him. Nothing else takes the place of sustainer and provider. God is my source. Him my heart with fear.

Amen.