Today’s Scripture Reading (September
25, 2012): Deuteronomy 26
I understand
the hesitation to give money to the church. If we are honest, we have to admit
that we have not always lived up to our obligations. And sometimes we have outright
wasted the money that generous people have given to us. And it is not fair. We
have been wrong – and we stand in need of forgiveness.
The original
intention of the tithe was that it was the inheritance of the tribe of Levi.
Levi was the only tribe that did not to receive a land inheritance in the
Promised Land. The land was divided up between the other eleven sons, with a
double portion going to Joseph through his two sons. But the tribe of Levi was
to be cared for through the tithe, as well as the temple and all of the things
of God. Just as God had sacrificed for Israel, so Israel would sacrifice for
God. And for Levi, it was God himself that was their inheritance.
And that was
to be the imagery of the offering. The offering was presented to the priest,
but the priest took the offering and placed it before God – putting it on the
altar. Each offering had a prescribed way that it was to be handled, but all of
the offerings were presented to God.
It is also
the reason why many churches take the offering after it has been given by the
congregation back to the front of the church – often laying it on the altar or
some other significant place of God. That action serves as a reminder that the
offering itself belonged to God’s. To the giver, who questions why the church
should have his money, it is not the church that receives it. It is God. And to
the church that receives the money, the same reminder stands. When you are
tempted to do something stupid with it, remember that it is God’s. We are the
ones that stand with the responsibility of receiving the offering and doing it
with as he demands – and not as we might want.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 27
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