Nehemiah 10:38

“And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.”

Context:The book of Nehemiah tells the story of the Jewish people returning from exile in Babylon and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, the main character, was the cupbearer to the king of Persia. In Nehemiah 10, the people of Israel made a covenant with God, dedicating themselves to obey His laws and commands.

The Levites and Tithing:In the Old Testament, the Levites were a tribe chosen by God to serve in the religious duties of the Israelites. They were responsible for the care and maintenance of the tabernacle or temple. One of their functions was to receive the tithes from the people. A tithe was a tenth of a person’s income or produce, which was given as an offering to God.

Distribution of Tithes:Nehemiah 10:38 highlights a specific aspect of the tithing process. It states that the Levites would receive the tithes from the people, but they were required to give a portion of the tithes to the house of God. The “house of our God” refers to the temple, which was the central place of worship for the Israelites.

The Chambers and Treasure House:The tithes brought by the Levites were to be stored in the chambers within the temple complex. These chambers were designated areas for storing various items related to worship. The “treasure house” refers to the dedicated storage place for the tithes and offerings brought to the temple. These resources would be used for the maintenance of the temple, supporting the priests and Levites, and providing for the needs of the poor and the Levites themselves.

• Faithful stewardship:Nehemiah 10:38 teaches the importance of faithfully giving back to God a portion of what He has entrusted to us. Tithing was an act of worship and a way for the Israelites to acknowledge God’s provision in their lives.
• Support for ministry and worship:The tithes were used to support the Levites, who dedicated their lives to serving God and the community through various religious duties. Similarly, in our present context, tithes and offerings support the work of ministry and the functioning of the church.
• Caring for the needs of others:The tithes were also used to support the needs of the poor and the Levites themselves, who did not possess land for sustenance. This highlights the importance of generosity and caring for those in need.
• Honoring God with our finances:Nehemiah 10:38 reminds us that the resources we possess are ultimately gifts from God. By faithfully giving our tithes and offerings, we honor God and demonstrate our trust in His provision.