Through the Bible: DeuteronomySample

Tithes and God’s Covenant People

This day the Lord your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. Today you have proclaimed the Lord to be your God and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His judgments and that you will obey His voice. Also today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments.

Deuternonomy 26:16-18 (NKJV)

For the new generation of Israelites possessing the Promised Land, Moses adapted and expounded the original law given at Mount Sinai into testimonies, statutes, and ordinances, setting out in legal detail the laws of covenant celebration and confirmation, the benefits (blessings) of obedience and consequences (curses) of sin. Moses encouraged the people to observe God's commandments in order to receive God's blessings because Israel's future as a nation in Canaan will depend upon a right relationship with God. Moses also reminded them that compliance shall be "with all heart and soul", not just outwardly. 

Notice the verses preceding are about tithes – Israel was to acknowledge God's faithful provision by offering their first fruits to Him while reciting the history of His beneficent covenant dealings with the patriarchs to the present. God's dealings today remain as the basis of His covenant relationship with us. Through the blood of Jesus, we tithe not because we have to (under law) but because we love to (under the new covenant) as His children.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, like the Israelites, let us be in right relationship with You to have the fullness of life You intended for us. We acknowledge You are Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.