Have you ever wondered why churches collect money—contributions or donations? Do you think it is simply to fill their bank accounts? Have you ever thought it was a command? Do you know it is more about obedience than it is about paying the bills?
We have likely heard, if not said or thought ourselves, that churches just collect money so they can pay their bills. We may remember they contribute to ministries. We may think pastors who talk about the need to contribute are money mongers.
There may be cases where those thoughts are true. If you find the church you attend is collecting for the reasons given above, you might want to consider finding another church. Sure, there are bills to be paid, but those should never be the reason for contributing. If that is a true statement, then why should we give?
Notice in today’s passage it is a requirement of the law. In other words, God commanded us to give. Now I know some of you will immediately point to the fact the Hebrew writer is referencing Levitical law. Your next argument will be that we no longer live under Levitical law. And you would be correct to some small degree. For example, we no longer need to sacrifice animals for the forgiveness of our sins—Jesus did that once for all.
However, to dismiss the Levitical law out of hand would be to dismiss the ten commandments, which I don’t believe any of us intend to dismiss. In fact, most of the Levitical law very much applies to us today, including the requirement to tithe. Is it because God needs our help to accomplish His works? No! Then, what is it about?
Our tithing is about obedience, trust, and faith. God commanded it and we are to obey. As we trust God and obey, we experience Him at work in our lives. As we experience Him, our faith increases. Therefore, tithing is for our good, not because the church needs to pay bills nor that God needs our help. After all, He is omnipotent—all powerful—and can do anything.
I pray we all consider our need to obey God. I pray we obey and experience Him at work in our lives. I pray our faith is increased as we experience God at work. Obey God’s commands. Trust God to provide. Trust God knows what is best for you. Increase your faith through experience.
Hebrews 7:5-10 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
Marty Pressey 