In
Deuteronomy chapter 12, Moses warns the nation of Israel as they move
into the Promised Land they must guard against all the new
distractions. The chapter gives an interesting parallel to how we,
as believers today, can also be distracted. Moses begins by
explaining, as you take possession of the land the Lord has given
you, “Destroy
completely… the places where the nations you are dispossessing
worshipped their gods… break down their altars and smash their
sacred stones… You must not worship the Lord your God in their
way“.
Today, we battle with success. New positions of responsibility and
new promotions often bring new pressures to conform. Honoring God
first, sometimes requires us to break the mold at work. Moses says
directly, “Bring
your… offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts…
there in the presence of the Lord… you and your families… rejoice
in everything you have put your hands on because the Lord your God
has blessed you“.
With the accumulation of wealth we can easily forget that it was God
who blessed us in the first place! Are you still trusting God to
meet your daily needs?
Listen
to the warning Moses gives: “You
are not to do as we do here today, as everyone sees fit“.
He explains, “God
has given you as an inheritance… rest from all your enemies… so
you will live in safety… bring everything I commanded you… and
there rejoice before the Lord your God, you, your sons and
daughters“.
There is peace and family unity and a desire to give thanks when we
honor God as our provider. Moses continues with a reminder that
God’s part does not belong to us. “Be
careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings any place you please…
you must not eat… your own… tithe… whatever you have vowed to
give… eat in the presence of the Lord your God at the place… God
will choose.”
One of the reasons we are to find a church home for regular
fellowship is so we have some financial accountability. In Malachi
3:8, the prophet warns, “You
are robbing God. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse“.
Incredibly, this command is accompanied by a promise, “I
will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much
blessing that you will not have enough room for it“.
“When
the Lord your
God
has enlarged your territory… you may slaughter animals from your
herds and flocks the Lord has given you… eat as much of them as you
want… but be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is
the life… the blood of your sacrifice must be poured beside the
altar of the Lord.”
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the fruits of your labor, but
we must never forget complete restoration with God requires a blood
sacrifice. “There
is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood”
(Hebrews 9:22). All the money in the world cannot pay the debt we
owe; but praise God, forgiveness is a free gift that we receive by
faith in Christ. Interesting that verse 28 says the reason we need
to obey God is, “So
that it will go well with you and your children after you“.
Live out your faith before your children. “And
whatever you do, whether word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”
(Colossians 3:17).