Day 8/29 – A Second Tithe

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Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man by Walter A Henrichsen (“Walt”)
A Second Tithe
Day Two Hundred Forty-one

”You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, which comes forth from the field year by year and spend the money for whatever you desire, oxen, or sheep, or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves.” Deuteronomy 14:22, 26

Each year God’s people took ten percent of their yearly wage and spend it in the presence of the Lord on whatever they “craved.” Moses gave God’s rationale for commanding the people to do this, “that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.”318

What you spend you do not have, and what you do not have you must trust God to provide. Many people spend money they do not have and go into debt. This is not what Moses is talking about. Rather you are yearly to take ten percent of what you do have and spend it on your self. The desire to accumulate can easily become an expression of unbelief; you save for uncertain times because you do not wish to trust God to provide for you during those times. This does not mean that if you save you are living in unbelief. Only you and God know the difference.

God does not carry the command to spend a second tithe over into the New Testament, so you are not obligated to follow Israel’s lead in this matter. But you should be instructed. When Israel sought to accumulate and hoard the manna, it turned to rot. Liberality delights God when expressed in gratitude for His provision. You can trust God in a variety of ways. A second tithe is one of them.

318 Deuteronomy 14:23

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Psalm 126-128 1 Corinthians 10:19-33 (New King James Version)

Psalm 126-128
A Joyful Return to Zion
A Song of Ascents.
126
When the Lord brought back [a]the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the [b]nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
4
Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.
5
Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6
He who continually goes [c]forth weeping,
Bearing [d]seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again [e]with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
Laboring and Prospering with the Lord
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
127
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
128
Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
2
When you eat the [f]labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
4
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.
5
The Lord bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
6
Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
Footnotes:
• Psalm 126:1 Those of the captivity
• Psalm 126:2 Gentiles
• Psalm 126:6 to and fro
• Psalm 126:6 Lit. a bag of seed for sowing
• Psalm 126:6 with shouts of joy
• Psalm 128:2 Fruit of the labor

1 Corinthians 10:19-33
19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
All to the Glory of God
23 All things are lawful [a]for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [b]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [c]for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Footnotes:
• 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
• 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
• 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.