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.
The Lord has imparted to us heaven’s richest treasure in giving us Jesus. With Him He has given us all things richly to enjoy. The productions of the earth, the bountiful harvests, the treasures of gold and silver, are His gifts. Houses and lands, food and clothing, He has placed in the possession of men. He asks us to acknowledge Him as the Giver of all things; and for this reason He says, Of all your possessions I reserve a tenth for Myself, besides gifts and offerings, which are to be brought into My storehouse.
God’s plan in the tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity and equality…. All may feel that they can act a part in carrying forward the precious work of salvation. Every man, woman, and youth may become a treasurer for the Lord and may be an agent to meet the demands upon the treasury. Says the apostle: “Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” 1 Corinthians 16:2.
Let each regularly examine his income, which is all a blessing from God, and set apart the tithe as a separate fund, to be sacredly the Lord’s. This fund should not in any case be devoted to any other use; it is to be devoted solely to support the ministry of the gospel.
A tithe of our income is “holy unto the Lord.” The New Testament does not re-enact the law of the tithe, as it does not that of the Sabbath; for the validity of both is assumed.
I speak of the tithing system, yet how meager it looks to my mind! How small the estimate! How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable! Tithes for Christ! Oh, meager pittance, shameful recompense for that which cost so much! From the cross of Calvary, Christ calls for an unconditional surrender…. All we have should be consecrated to God.
The Faith I Live By p. 244
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Prayer Requests
—-Ron is home from the hospital. Please pray for a speedy recovery. Rose
—-Please pray for an elderly woman who is not being well taken care of and there is no one who is her advocate. Katherin
—-Please pray for Ed. He is very sick. Probably the flu. He should see a doctor but he doesn’t have insurance. Diane
—-Please pray for Carri who is battling kidney cancer. David
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Dear Friends,
One day, as my mother and I were in town, we happened to see her second cousin, Lilian. They had not seen each other for years, so they had a rather lengthy conversation. As they were talking Lilian kept bringing up the fact that she could trace her family tree back to the American Revolution. They talked of other things and then Lily would again talk about her ancestors. She was so proud that she was able to trace her linage back to the very beginning of our country. It was her total focus. After that conversation, my mother got excited about doing research on the family tree herself. She contacted Lillian again, who helped her get started.
Are we as willing to tell others about our Heavenly Father? Do our thoughts center upon Him? Is He the theme of our conversation? Think of it! We are children of the Heavenly King! The Great Creator of the Universe longs for an even closer relationship than any earthly tie. Jesus tells us, “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matt 12:50 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor 6:17-7:1
In view of this, we are to be a channel to reflect His goodness to those around us. Jesus went about doing good and speaking words of truth and life to all. He declares, “I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” John 12:49,50 This we should also do. Jesus asks us to be His ambassadors. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:13-16
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.” Isa 43:10-13 Paul explains, “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Gal 4:4-7 “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7 What a Gift our Heavenly Father has given us! Think of it, God gave us His Son, to leave the glories of Heaven and live a life of poverty and sorrow for us. A life that ended in sacrificing Himself that we might dwell with Him forevermore! What wonderful love!
May we be excited and continually rejoice that we have a Heavenly Father Who loves us so much that He poured out all Heaven in the gift of His dear Son. May we love Him with our whole heart and mind and strength and joy. May that love and joy spill over to others that they, too, may be children of the Heavenly King.
Rose

A Tenth for God