Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14
In the 26th chapter of Deuteronomy, God lays out the schedule of the tithe, particularly the third-year tithe, which was to be given to the Levites, widows, and orphans at the gate of their community. They were to set aside their first fruits just as we are with our money. If you have fruit trees or a vegetable garden, you may understand this idea; the anticipation of the first taste of the seasonal fruit is mouthwatering, and we patiently wait for them to ripen. These are the fruits God wants us to tithe because they encourage us to glorify God over our own desires and put him first.
The birth of Jesus was like the first fruits, and he became the offering to God for our salvation. The angels came and filled the sky and glorified God over his condescending to the lowly form of a human so there would be an acceptable sacrifice for us. The angels offered him the glory he deserved! He gave us what we have; like him, he wants us to be willing to part with a portion to bring him glory. If God was willing to sacrifice his Son for us, shouldn’t we be ready to glorify him by giving up our first fruits to him? Worship God with your tithe, honor, and glorify him with your willingness to put him first.
And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Deuteronomy 26:11-12
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