“Give these instructions to the Levites: When you receive from the people of Israel the tithes I have assigned as your allotment, give a tenth of the tithes you receive—a tithe of the tithe—to the LORD as a sacred offering. [Numbers 18.26]
A tithe of the tithe. Now there is a thought. I guess I have read this many times, but never really grasped it until today.
Having worked in full-time Christian ministry for six years of my life, I don't think I ever recognized the real significance of this passage of scripture.
For all the spiritual function of the tithe, there is also a very utility function. It supports those whose lives are dedicated to nothing but service to the people on behalf of God (ministers, as many of us call them today). This applied to the priests and Levites of Moses' time and it applies today to those who have dedicated their entire life to Christian service to God and His people.
The interesting thing about the tithe is that it is required of everyone. The tithe is required even of those to whom the tithe is paid. I furthermore believe this is a perpetual thing - in other words, if the tithe of the tithe is received by another person, then that recipient is also obligated to tithe from it as well.
Father, help us to understand that tithing is for all and it is Your way to remind us that we belong to You,
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