Because we are in Christ, there are no longer any hostilities in us that will always exist between those in the world. Ephesians 2:14, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.” We don’t employ the trite, superficial and flawed tactics of the world. Many of them are now championed more than ever in our day. We understand that the blood of Christ has cleansed us from our sin and has adopted us into His family. Thus, we see others different from us as part of the family of God, forgiven as we have been forgiven. We accept each other because God has accepted all of us. Our unity is not what we look like, but rather who we are in Christ. “[Christ] Himself [made] the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity” (Eph. 2:15b-16).
Randy Smith

TITHE

TITHE

TITHE

  1. The tenth of anything # 1Sa 8:15,17
  2. Antiquity of the custom of giving to God’s ministers # Ge 14:20 Heb 7:6
  3. Considered a just return to God for his blessings # Ge 28:22
  4. Under the law belonged to God # Le 27:30
  5. CONSISTED OF A TENTH 5a) Of all the produce of the land

    # Le 27:30

5b) Of all cattle # Le 27:32 5c) Of holy things dedicated # 2Ch 31:6 6) Given by God to the Levites for their services # Nu 18:21,24 Ne 10:37 7) The tenth of, offered by the Levites as an heave offering to God # Nu 18:26,27 8) The tenth of, given by the Levites to the priests as their portion # Nu 18:26,28 Ne 10:38 9) Reasonableness of appointing, for the Levites # Nu 18:20,23,24 Jos 13:33 10) When redeemed to a fifth part of the value added # Le 27:31 11) Punishment for changing # Le 27:33 12) The Jews slow in giving # Ne 13:10 13) The Jews reproved for withholding # Mal 3:8 14) The pious governors of Israel caused the payment of # 2Ch 31:5 Ne 13:11,12 15) Rulers appointed over, for distributing # 2Ch 31:12 Ne 13:13 16) The Pharisees scrupulous in paying # Lu 11:42 18:12 17) A SECOND 17a) Or its value yearly brought to the tabernacle and eaten before the Lord # De 12:6,7,17-19 14:22-27 17b) To be consumed at home every third year to promote hospitality and charity # De 14:28,29 26:12-15