A Foundation For Giving

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s.

Leviticus 27:30

Every good citizen . . . should be willing to devote a brief time . . . to the making up of a listing of his income for taxes . . . to contribute to his Government, not the scriptural tithe, but a small percentage of his net profits.” So said U.S. Representative Cordell Hull in the House of Representatives on April 26, 1913.

Note that in 1913, the biblical tithe was well-enough understood in American culture to be used as a standard of comparison in public discourse. Note also that income taxes were suggested to be less than 10 percent! Today, however, a common reference to the “scriptural tithe” would bring blank stares from many in our culture.

Tithe is the English word meaning one-tenth, and it describes that portion of every Israelite’s property and harvest that was set apart for the Lord. The tithe is not replaced in the New Testament but serves as a foundation upon which the overflow of giving by grace can continue.

Do you set aside for the Lord at least one-tenth of all you receive from Him? Doing so reflects an obedient and trusting heart.