Tithing As You Never Knew It Before

I was going to blog on this earlier, but I wanted to wait until everyone had an opportunity to turn in their commitment cards for phase three before I gave someone any bright ideas.

You know, in all of the lessons and sermons I have heard on the issue of stewardship and tithing, I have never seen this passage referenced. It was fascinating to me to see how the tithe was actually used. My initial understanding was that it was all to be brought to the priests and Levites. But this is how the text actually reads:

You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. "If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring the tithe, since the place where the LORD your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the LORD your God blesses you, then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. "You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household. Also you shall not neglect the Levite who is in your town, for he has no portion or inheritance among you.

I get this picture in my mind of the giving of the tithe being like a giant tailgating party. A little beef roasting on the bbq and some wine and beer flowing freely. What a mighty God we serve.

Just make sure you invite the Levites.