In a reading from Morning Prayer last week, after Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, he asked the people to donate what they would need to build it - gold, silver, bronze, linen, etc. He doesn't force them or require them. He tells them "whoever is of a generous heart (Exodus 35:5)." And then we read, "everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him" brought the contributions (35:21).
You hear a lot about tithing when folks talk about offerings, and that is a thing in Scripture. But why? The tithes were for the support of the Levites who worked and cared for the Tabernacle and did not get an inheritance of land in the Promised Land. But outside of their support, like with the contributions for the Tabernacle, the offerings were voluntary and free. You could give a tithe, or you could give more, or less, or nothing!
This is also what we read in the New Testament (especially 2 Corinthians 8-9). Since Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Levitical priesthood was no longer needed (for no more sacrifices were needed!), the purpose for the tithe has also been fulfilled. Now, the contributions and offerings of God's people are voluntary and free. We give now not because we have to, but because we can. This is in the way of the Gospel, not the Law. We give in grateful thanksgiving for all God has given to us. It has this added benefit, too: that by giving, we do not hold onto our wealth too tightly so that it becomes a false god, an idol, what we think we need to live. Jesus has already promised to provide that, so we are free to give! And He will provide.
No comments:
Post a Comment