The Tithe Is Food

“You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the LORD your God. [Deuteronomy 14.22-23] 

Is it just me, or, does the tithe have everything to do with food? Before we answer that question, we should also consider the following passage regarding the tithe:

“Now when the LORD your God blesses you with a good harvest, the place of worship he chooses for his name to be honored might be too far for you to bring the tithe. If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds, put the money in a pouch, and go to the place the LORD your God has chosen. When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want—cattle, sheep, goats, wine, or other alcoholic drink. Then feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and celebrate with your household. [Deuteronomy 14.24-26] 

The fact that the tithe was 'turned into money' but then back into food in this passage should make it evident that food is the point. This is further confirmed in the instruction to, "eat it there in his presence" in Deuteronomy 14.22-23, and "feast there in the presence of the LORD your God" in Deuteronomy 14.24-26.

Compare these early passages then with later instruction as found in the prophets:

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! [Malachi 3.10]

Malachi actually specifies that the tithe is "food." 

If the New Testament Church has it right in any area of the tithe, it would be that the tithe is still mostly considered ten percent and that it is brought to a location where other believers constitute a corporate presence of the LORD. As far as the overriding "food" aspect of the tithe, it just seems that the Church is largely out of compliance.

The fact that Israel was an agricultural society must be factored in. However, are we so sure that allowing culture to dictate obedience to God's Word is the right thing to do?

Let's dig deeper...

“At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all your work. [Deuteronomy 14.28-29]

Again, the tithe is "food" as it would actually be sustenance for the Levites, orphans and widows.

How does the modern Church reconcile its insatiable appetite for the tithe today only to direct a very small portion of it (if any at all) to actually feeding those whose serve in addition to those who cannot help themselves (let alone feeding the corporate whole as they assemble together in bringing it)? 

I know I am probably digging myself into a hole here, but it seems appropriate to do so for the sake of understanding. What if we are grossly wrong about the tithe today? If there is any public question about the tithe in the Church today, shouldn't the Church stand accountable?

If the gathering place of the Church today is more focused on its establishment as a business than it is focused on feeding those who gather, those who serve, and those who cannot help themselves, is that gathering place actually validated by God?

Does the Church today spend more on the gathering place itself or on the activity (feeding people) the gathering is supposed to accomplish?

One thing is for certain; food unites people. Food is the one thing that every living human being must have. Shelter is important, but, compared to food, shelter must take second place. The need for food is the universal equalizer that brings us all to the same table providing the ideal environment for fellowship, God's Word, and God-like love.

God's obvious interest in food for people, as addressed by the tithe, cannot be denied. It would seem any attempt to lessen our accountability in regard to the tithe and food (as they clearly relate to one another) citing "culture" as our justification, is only wishful thinking.

Now, can someone please help me out of this hole?

Father, help us to see what Your plan and design is for the Church today as it relates to the tithe and feeding people (including ourselves in congregation with others who need it). May our focus be Your focus so that the world might see You for Who You are through us.