Lindsay L. O'Connor

So I stumbled upon this passage in Deuteronomy 26:5-11 today and am struck by the complete and perfect sense tithing makes in this context, done with the gratitude described:

Then you shall declare before the LORD your God: My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down into Egypt with a few people and lived there and became a great nation, powerful and numerous. But the Egyptians mistreated us and made us suffer, putting us to hard labor. Then we cried out to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our misery, toil, and oppression. So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. 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, O LORD, have given me.” Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.

I think it a most excellent idea to tithe in remembrance of the bondage from which God has delivered us as we acknowledge that the great abundance of blessings and provision we enjoy comes directly from Him. I love how tithing is shown as an opportunity to pause and “rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.” Considering how I sometimes give rather mechanically, this is something to think about next time I drop our tithe envelope into the offering plate, for the Lord has given us many good things, indeed–namely, His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.