“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations.

Numbers 15:1-21

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land to which I bring you and when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall present a contribution to the LORD. Of the first of your dough you shall present a loaf as a contribution; like a contribution from the threshing floor, so shall you present it. Some of the first of your dough you shall give to the LORD as a contribution throughout your generations. Numbers 15:18-21

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:1-21 - while Israel remains in the wilderness, God gives Moses and the people laws for sacrifices that they are to make upon entry to the Promised Land.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks a relationship with Him and one of complete dependence on Him, recognizing that all that we have is because of Him and not of our own effort - see James 1:16.  Read along with Deuteronomy 26:1-11, the text focuses on how the people are to remember, celebrate, and be thankful for how God rescued the people from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land.  God heard Israel's cries, responded and delivered them.  Of course, we should daily be thankful for God, who He is, what He has done, how He provides, and how He saves!  God is good!  Our response should be joyful and we should give as the text directs the people to do - and we are to give freely as a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people up to this point have been grumbling and complaining and now God is turning their attention to a promise He made and how He is going to be faithful and bring them into the Promised Land.  We need constant reminders of God's goodness and faithfulness - otherwise, we are prone to wander, grumble and complain as Israel did.  God gives us His Word as His Daily Bread and we are to consume it!
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid grumbling and complaining.  Claim the promise that God delivers us and He is saving a place for us in Heaven - whatever we are experiencing is temporary and God is good....all the time.  Follow the example of those who responded joyfully upon entering the Promised Land and gave cheerfully.  Consume God's Daily Bread!   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:10-12. 

Excerpts from the commentary for the following two divisions and for the conclusion to the commentary's chapter covering Malachi 3:6-12:

• God’s Challenge for Israel to Test His Immeasurable Generosity (Malachi 3:10-11): The text includes "the only time in the Bible where God actually permits one to test Him in the area of finances....The temple’s storehouse was made up of numerous rooms that contained grain, oil, and various other supplies for the well being of the priests. It was the requirement of God that the people give money and supplies for the preservation of the Levites. God, who knows intimately the hearts of men, anticipated His people saying, “We can’t give ten percent.” So God said, 'Test Me.' They thought, 'We can’t afford to give.' God corrects them, 'No, you can’t afford not to give. Test Me.'...God appears to be saying, 'No matter what happens to you, when you are financially faithful to Me, I will provide for you. I will protect you.'"  
  
• God’s Blessing upon Israel Will Result in a Good Reputation among the Nations (Malachi 3:12):  God promises to make Israel (and His people) a great nation.
  
• Conclusion: Two lessons: (1) "if we obey the mandates of God in humble and faithful service, we can expect reward. This does not mean that reward is immediate, or even that we will ever receive it on this side of heaven. But we are guaranteed to experience God’s blessing, either here or in the coming kingdom"; (2) "what defines us is not what we have or what we think we have earned. Rather, it is what we do with the resources God has provided....God is always faithful to His covenant, even when the people are not. Israel would fail again, but in Christ we see the One who gave generously of Himself, even unto death, out of obedience to His Father. And in His sacrifice He also became the generous outpouring of heavenly blessing that God bestowed on all people."

I recommend a listen to this session of Ask Pastor John on DesiringGod.com where John Piper nets it out for believers seeking an answer to whether believers - based on the New Testament - are commanded to tithe. The answer is no but at the same time, those who truly love God as their highest treasure should think to themselves "why would we give anything less than a tithe (10 percent)?"

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me...blessing me beyond what I ever imagined You could provide...and Your fountain of grace never stops flowing.  I am not deserving of course.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is an unassisted review of Malachi 3:10-12.  In these two verses, God makes a promise to Israel that He will bless the nation beyond the point where it will no longer have any needs that are not met - see v10 "until there is no more need."  A need is defined as "a lack of something requisite, desirable, or useful...a condition requiring relief, [or as the] lack of the means of subsistence."  This promise is of course conditional on the people giving to God their tithe (see text that mentions tithe in the ESV Bible translation, including Leviticus 27:32 which specifically refers to 10%).  Another promise God makes is that Israel will be a land of delight.  For believers today who are under grace vs under the law, there is no longer a requirement for a tithe as believers give what is referred to instead as an offering - see this helpful resource.  We should give freely at least a tithe (10%) as an expression of our love for Christ who gave His life for us.  Believers should also understand that God is the source and provides for all of our needs and whatever we have it belongs to God - this includes our own body.  Everything we have - our lives and our belongings should be used in the service of the Lord, to fulfill His mission, including the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  We should trust in how God provides.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs and never leaves or forsakes me - thank You!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You provide. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

1 Corinthians 16

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 1 Corinthians 16:2

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "Giving will always be a part of the church’s worship, and it should follow some specific guidelines."

Key excerpts from the introduction: "[I]t is refreshing to note that with all the flaws and foibles of the Corinthian church, it was a generous church....We know from another letter that Paul wrote that this collection was for the poor and suffering among the Jewish Christian brothers and sisters in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26)....In several solid and practical ways, Paul gives us a model that shows how Christians should be financially faithful to the church and how the church should be forensically faithful in managing what is given."

Divisions per the commentary:

1. We Should Give with Sincere Dedication (16:1):"[T]he church in Jerusalem was in the middle of a great economic depression. They were having to minister to thousands of new converts who had come to Christ, and many of them were in desperate need of financial help. Well aware of this, Paul had sent out a communiqué to several Gentile churches he had founded, asking them to help their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Everyone knew what this offering was to be dedicated to; it had a specific purpose. These Corinthian Christians, then, were motivated by a love for and a brokenness over their Jerusalem brothers and sisters. They eagerly agreed to give to this offering because they realized Christianity is a team sport and everyone is on the same team."
2. We Should Give to a Specific Destination (16:2a): "When you worship, you give your voice in exaltation as you praise the character of God. You give your ear in concentration as you listen to the Word of God. You give your mind in meditation as you think about the things of God. You give your heart in adoration as you bask in the love of God. Surely we should also bring our offerings in commemoration as we remember the goodness of God. This is not to be understood as saying that all giving should only be given to any specific church, but I do believe this passage suggests the first financial gifts we give to God should be to the work of the church."
   
3. We Should Give with Steadfast Determination (16:2a): "Paul makes it plain that everybody should give something to this offering. There is no room for exemptions, exceptions, or excuses....The best way to give, though it may certainly be supplemented with spontaneous offerings, is systematically. We should give with a steadfast determination to give as often as our income is refreshed or we have an unexpected inflow of money."
   
4. We Should Give with Studied Deliberation (16:2b)."Therefore, our lives as those he has redeemed should be lived in gratitude for all that God has given to us and done for us."
5. We Should Give with Sober Discrimination (16:3-4): "place. In other words, the money was not only to be given in the church, to the church, and for the church, it was to be managed by the church. It is incumbent on those of us who give money to God’s work to do everything possible to make sure that dollars given toward his work are always used correctly, properly, and wisely."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

1 Corinthians 16

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.  On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.  1 Corinthians 16:1-2

I resume my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an assisted review of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.  In light of v1, it's important to see what Paul spoke to Galatia.  There are at least two places in Galatians where Paul spoke of giving, including giving to the poor (Galatians 2:10) and to do good (implied to help) "especially to those who are of the household of faith" (the church) (Galatians 6:10).  This giving is to be done regularly (every week per v2). Giving is also discussed in 2 Corinthians 9 where Paul once again seeks to help the poor and give to the church. This giving is out of an overflowing of love for God and for the church - we are to be cheerful givers, not to give out of compulsion.  Attached to this giving is a promise where believers are "enriched in every way to be generous" (v11). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all needs - physical needs, emotional needs and spiritual needs - thank You God for giving abundantly.  I am not deserving of such blessings, including how Your mercies are new every morning and never ceasing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 10 of Advent, and today Piper explores how the Magis' gifts to the baby Jesus do no reflect assistance - as if God needs anything (see Acts 17:25) - nor bribes (see Deuteronomy 10:17).  Instead Piper wants us to see how the Magis' gifts reflect a desire to show how wonderful the recipient is. Piper writes: "[i]n a sense, giving gifts to Christ are like fasting — going without something to show that Christ is more valuable than what you are going without."  He goes on to share how the desire to give gifts to Christ is driven by a heart that desires Jesus more than what is given to Jesus (and given up by the giver).  The implication here is that whatever our sacrifice - tithing, time, etc. - believers should give freely to God as a cheerful giver (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). Piper wraps today's devotion with a prayer that we should all offer to God: "May God awaken in us a desire for Christ himself. May we say from the heart, “Lord Jesus, you are the Messiah, the King of Israel. All nations will come and bow down before you. God wields the world to see that you are worshiped. Therefore, whatever opposition I may find, I joyfully ascribe authority and dignity to you, and bring my gifts to say that you alone can satisfy my heart, not holding on to these gifts.”

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, You are more valuable than gold, or anything else in this world that I may possess or acquire.  You are SO good to me and You are my Lord and Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Proverbs 10-16

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Proverbs 13:4

Today, I return to my study of Proverbs - moving to chapters 10-16.  Here, the first four questions for this week (week 6) from my study workbook focus on the relationship between wisdom and wealth (see Proverbs 10:1-5 and 11:28), lying and hatred (see Proverbs 10:18 and 26:28), the pitfalls of the pursuit of individual or corporate autonomy (from the Lord) (see Proverbs 12:15), and how our diligence in work (using our God-given skills/gifts) supports the work of the gospel (see Proverbs 13:4). In particular, I am working hard to ensure my 19-year old son Zach understands this last one...

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gifts You give me, including my ability to work - what a blessing.  It is my prayer and hope that I use these to forward the gospel by supporting my church and global/local ministries that take the Word into the world as You command it in the Great Commission.  I know I can do better by being a better worker and a better steward of what You give me to use for Your glory.  Thank You for the blessings but I am not deserving - my sin continues.  Please forgive me for my daily sin and for missing out on those opportunities to be who You intend for me.  Help me turn from my sin and overcome and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Romans 15

For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. Romans 15:27

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:25-27, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Support the Work of Mercy Ministry." Building on my post yesterday, Paul now specifically calls out financial or material support to missionaries and to church planting.  Paul's words imply an obligation or responsibility - as you share in the spiritual blessings (which we all do), we "ought" to share in the material blessings. For me, this underscores the command to "tithe" and to be a "cheerful giver". 

My commentary emphasizes how in these verses Paul went to great lengths go from Corinth to Jerusalem, then to Rome and on to Spain - a total of three thousand miles - to support church plants and missionaries. According to the commentary, he had collected aid from churches in Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia (1 Corinthians 16:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-24) and it is speculated that he was describing this aid to the Romans to "spur" their generosity.  The sense of family among believers is also emphasized as Gentiles are spurred to give to Jews (and vice-versa), it should be because of the bond among believers as brothers and sisters in Christ and how both are children of God - cutting across geographic, cultural, and ethnic lines. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided me with brothers and sisters in Christ who support and encourage me - thank You Jesus!  I feel sharpened by You through them!  Thank You!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin weighs heavy and I know You hate sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.....Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours....Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things....Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Chronicles 26:12-29:22

The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.....Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours....Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things....Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:9,11,12, and 14 

Day 106 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on additional division of responsibilities (gatekeepers, guards, treasurers, officials/tribe officers, judges, military commanders, overseers of possessions/herds/flocks, and the naming of David's closest advisors), David's address to Israel proclaiming Solomon as king and admonition to Solomon to be faithful in obeying/serving the Lord and building the temple, David's delivery of the temple plans, and finally a call to contribute funding to the effort to build the temple.

The people's response (1 Chronicles 29:6-9) was both willing and generous, and praised by David.

We must remember where wealth comes from and that it belongs to the Lord - whatever we may possess is first and foremost to be used to further the work of the Kingdom.  We must hold what we have loosely and give generously.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and provides for all my needs - physical, spiritual, etc. - thank You Jesus!  You have never failed to provide - even in the darkest hours.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You provide.  I love You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my sin - gossip, etc. Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You wiht all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Genesis 12-14

“With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.” Genesis 14:22-24

Day 5 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on God's call of Abram.

Abram is called by God to a land that He will show him (Genesis 12:1-4) and Abram goes with his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot.  Soon after his arrival famine struck the land (Genesis 12:10) and Abram moves on towards Egypt.  It is here where Abram hopes to prevent Pharaoh from killing him and seizing Sarai (due to her beauty) - he deceives Pharaoh and refers to Sarai as his sister (Genesis 12:12-13).  The plot falls apart and they are all expelled from Egypt (Genesis 12:20).

Abram and Lot soon separate with Lot settling in Sodom while Abram settles in Hebron. Sodom is sacked during a war of the kings and Lot is taken captive (Genesis 14:12). Abram bravely rescues Lot (Genesis 14:14-16) and is met by Melchizedek king of Salem who blesses Abram and offers Abram to keep the tenth of everything Abram offers Melchizedek (see Biblical references to Melchizedek here).  

Abram's great faith is known, and while he might perhaps be best known by other events in his life (most notably by his willingness to sacrifice his own son Issac - see Genesis 22) I think it is important to pause and highlight Abram's response to Melchizedek's offer to Abram to keep the goods Abram tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:12). I agree with the assessment offered here by David McLemore:

"Abram, for his part, gave instead of took. True faith has that effect. When given the two choices of giving God the glory or take the spoils of war, the man of faith glorifies God. “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” Abram knew where his riches truly came from".

This is one of the great ironies of the Bible for great men of faith.  We often see great recognition of those (such as Abraham) who seek not glory for themselves but glory for God - once again - this is why exist.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - You are indeed the source of all that I am and all that I possess.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me well beyond what I deserve.  I sin...daily, including my neglect of You over earthly matters.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.”

2 Chronicles 31

“Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.” v10

Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (2 Chronicles 29) and led all the people back to God, promising God's grace and compassion for those who turn back to God (2 Chronicles 30). Hezekiah then led the people to contribute to worship (2 Chronicles 31).

In verses 5-10 we see people giving generously which implies a great amount of obedience and trust - trust that God will provide.  This trust is often difficult for me as I often worry about my ability to provide.  

God please help me trust in You that You can and will provide for all of my needs.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You DO provide for all of my needs and I have never been in want.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; 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.

Deuteronomy 26

He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; 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. v9-10

Giving back to God is critical - see other posts on this topic. 

We cannot claim that whatever wealth we enjoy is ours - wrong!  We are custodians of God's wealth and it belongs to Him for us to invest on His behalf.  When He asks us to tithe we give back to God what is His.  We demonstrate humility and dependence on God for our daily bread.

We should not worry about money - God tells us not to worry.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Matthew 6:26

In the same chapter in Matthew, Jesus also teaches us that money can become an idol - yet another reason why giving back to God helps us focus on God and not money.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Lord Jesus, please help me be obedient with my tithe and to be a cheerful giver.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth the love and compassion You pour out for me.  I continue to lust in my heart - please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.

Deuteronomy 14

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. v22

God requires us to tithe - it is a reminder that all of our blessings come from God and that we are to trust God to provide for us.

We must also care for our church leadership - who is referred to by Moses in v27.

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17

Lord Jesus help me tithe so I have a reminder of how You are the source of all blessings and only You provide, that I must trust in You.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet my sin continues - I am harsh with my words. Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Leviticus 27

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. v30

The chapter of Leviticus closes with a command on tithing.

We are to tithe for a variety of reasons, and I believe a few of the most important reasons include one practical and two spiritual and these are not listed in order of importance:

1. Because God commands us to
2. Because we must care for the church and for those who are in need (and the church does this on our behalf); tithing should not limit our giving as cheerful givers we should give more than a tithe.
3. Because as cheerful givers we must recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17) and we are simply stewards of the treasure provides for us - it does not belong to us and we must allow it to flow from our hands to God and for those in His care 

Lord - please help me be a cheerful giver.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You provide abundantly for all of my needs.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such provision.  I am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[E]veryone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.

Exodus 35

[E]veryone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. v21

God wants us to be a cheerful giver - He commands us to tithe, yet we are to be cheerful as we do it because God is concerned about our heart condition not just our actions.  Note how in this chapter of Exodus it is stressed:

"All who were willing" v22
"All the Israelite men and women who were willing" v29

In the Old Testament, "freewill offering" is mentioned 22 times.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

It is the same thing in our relationship with Jesus: we are invited into a relationship with Him but we must accept this invitation and then submit to Him, in the same way He willingly laid down His life for us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who willingly laid down Your life for me so that I would have victory over sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I am selfish and I have other sin that continues.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 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

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 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.” v20-22

Abraham first tithed in Genesis 14 and here we see tithing by Jacob.

Giving willingly back to the Lord acknowledges that whatever we have is because of God and it does not belong to us and we must give back to Him who is the source of all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17).

David appropriately said when he prayed to God to offer gifts needed to build the first temple:

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.                                    1 Chronicles 29:14-16

A key reason for tithing is to demonstrate our trust in God that He will always provide:

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3

See also Matthew 6:25-34

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love - and that You have rescued me from the punishment I deserve.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I continue to sin - I am lazy and selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’

Genesis 14

“With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ v22-23

Abram is a righteous man here when he stops the king of Sodom from refusing to take a tenth of Abram's goods (perhaps made as a peace offering).  Abram recognizes that God alone is his source of blessing and that God provides for His needs.

We must be careful to recognize who is our provider - it is Jesus who gives us our daily bread.

See also posts here.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

 

My Prayer: Lord, You provide during good and bad times - abundantly and for all of my needs.  I rest in You alone.  Thank You for the many rich blessings You provide.  I am not worth such blessings.  I continue in my sin. Please forgive me Jesus  and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

Proverbs 18

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. v11

This world teaches us that money provides security.  Yet wealth comes from God and belongs to Him.  See the story of Ananias and Sephira - who are struck down by God for withholding money from God (money that belongs to Him!).  We are entrusted with money, and should be good stewards of such money, but we should not cling to it too tightly.  We must be cheerful givers.


Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - You provide and we don't need to worry.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I know I am not the man You intend for me.  I too often think of my own needs and desires above You and others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Help me love others as You love me.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Proverbs 3

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. v9-10

In James 1, we are referred to as God's firstfruits:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18

In the same verses, James reminds us that all good and perfect gifts are from God (see also Colossians 1:16-18).

God wants us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1).  When we submit our lives over to God, we no longer live but God lives in us (Galatians 2:20).  As such we belong to Christ (Paul refers to himself as a servant of Christ in Romans 1:1) and everything was created by and for God and should desire to honor God as Proverbs 3:9-10 encourage us to do.

We should be cheerful (see also 2 Corinthians 9:7)- this is an indication that we desire to honor God.

My Prayer: God, I know I belong to You, I have been created by You and for You, and that all good things come from You.  I know You want me to be cheerful and You want me to offer myself and my life as a living sacrifice.  That is my hope and prayer.  You are a great God and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve and again I know it comes solely from You.  Thank You Jesus - I am undeserving.  I often fail to live for You.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.