If we hold to this notion of tithing we must do some updating into the 21st Century. We might be able to buy into the tithe as tenth of our earning, after taxes that is, and then give 10 percent of that to various charities we feel connected to. However, as I was reminded on Sunday, Jesus has a way of ratcheting up those OT laws, making 10 percent feel less than generous. And then, what about giving first fruits? How am I going out among my 'flock' and choosing the best breeding pair to offer up in gratitude? That kind of giving hurts for a while. I need to think more deeply about first fruits; first fruits of all I earn, all I have accumulated, all my skills and talents and at the same time remember the dare of yesterday.
It’s difficult for us who live in non-agricultural communities to understand or fully appreciate the concept of giving of our first fruits. Those who first received this directive were a desert people who had flocks of sheep and goats, maybe some cows. When they were asked to tithe and give their first and best as either gift to the tribe of priests or as a sacrifice to be slaughtered and burned, it was no small thing. I can just imagine the temptation of going out into the flock and taking a lame animal or a small one (Malachi 1:6-14), or one that wouldn’t make for a good breeding pair. Or if you were a vegetable farmer you would be gathering your best tomatoes, your biggest, shiniest apples or most tender lettuce heads to give away to God as thanksgiving gift.
If we hold to this notion of tithing we must do some updating into the 21st Century. We might be able to buy into the tithe as tenth of our earning, after taxes that is, and then give 10 percent of that to various charities we feel connected to. However, as I was reminded on Sunday, Jesus has a way of ratcheting up those OT laws, making 10 percent feel less than generous. And then, what about giving first fruits? How am I going out among my 'flock' and choosing the best breeding pair to offer up in gratitude? That kind of giving hurts for a while. I need to think more deeply about first fruits; first fruits of all I earn, all I have accumulated, all my skills and talents and at the same time remember the dare of yesterday.
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