“And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.”
Context:Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and is part of the Torah, which contains the laws and teachings of God given to the Israelites through Moses. In this verse, Moses is instructing the Israelites on how to handle tithes and offerings.
The Tithe:The word “tithe” means a tenth part or a tenth of something. In this context, it refers to the practice of giving one-tenth of one’s income or produce to God. The verse mentions specific items that the Israelites were to tithe: corn, wine, oil, and the firstlings (the firstborn animals) of their herds and flocks.
The Place Chosen by God:The verse states that the tithe should be eaten before the Lord their God “in the place which he shall choose to place his name there.” This refers to the central location where God would establish His dwelling place among the Israelites, which later became the temple in Jerusalem. Until that time, it was the tabernacle.
Purpose of the Tithe:The primary purpose of tithing was to teach the Israelites to fear the Lord their God always. “Fearing God” in this context means having reverence, awe, and respect for God and acknowledging His authority and power in their lives. By giving a portion of their blessings back to God, the Israelites were reminded of their dependence on Him and His provision.
Lessons for us today:Although tithing was a specific requirement for the Israelites under the Old Covenant, there are still principles we can draw from this verse that are relevant today. It reminds us of the importance of acknowledging God as the source of all our blessings and of giving back to Him. Tithing can also be seen as an act of worship, expressing our gratitude and trust in God’s faithfulness to provide for our needs.
However, it’s important to note that the New Testament does not explicitly command Christians to tithe in the same way as the Old Testament. Instead, it encourages believers to give generously and cheerfully according to their means (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 14:23 emphasizes the practice of tithing in the Old Testament, specifically for the Israelites, as a means to teach them to fear and reverence the Lord. While the principle of giving back to God and acknowledging His provision remains relevant, the specific practice of tithing has evolved in the context of the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ.
