Tithing

30“ ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord... 32Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. (Leviticus 27:30,32)

and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." (Genesis 28:22- Jacob/israel promises to give a tenth to the Lord of all he is blessed with). 

1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. (Hebrews 7)

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. (Deuteronomy 14:22)

10 and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him. 11 Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.

12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. (Dt. 26)

Honor the Lord with thy substance and the firstfruits of all thine increase.  Prov. 3:9

Thoughts: The idea of giving a tithe/tenth to God is found from Genesis through Revelation.  The question could be raised- "How much should I give?"  The answer in scripture- the standard for giving is a tenth of that which we have.  Deuteronmy 24 and Proverbs 3 speaks of it as the firstfruits are to be a gift up to a tenth.  This means we give of the firstfruits in trust that the rest of the fruit will come in.  We give out of faith that the Lord will provide the rest.  The first fruits means before anything else is given- thus the tithe comes from the gross income and not from a net income after taxes or after all other obligations have been paid.  God wants first place in our hearts, and it makes sense that God would ask us to give to Him off the top.  The first fruits idea tells us when to give it- first; and that we should give it off the top not skimmed off of the bottom after everything else has been paid.  

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to give back to you.  Help me to be a generous person.