Reading
SAA Notes
It is still a good principle to repay debts within seven years. Tithes were used to feed the Levites, the immigrants, the orphans, the widows and other disadvantaged people within a town. The Jews were encouraged to be generous and regular with the tithe with the promise that God does bless the generous in all the work of their hands.
SJA Notes
“You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him,”
Here is the command from God to His people.
In the New Testament we read Jesus’ words in Luke 6:35,
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great,”
And both Moses and Jesus point to God’s mercy as the reasoning for us when we ask “Why?” (Why should we give freely? Why should we be generous without thought of return?)
Moses says,
“You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD you God redeemed ou;”
Jesus says,
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Our God of mercy has redeemed us from slavery, rescued us from sin, brought us from darkness into light.
Oh what mercy this, immense and free!
This the pattern, this the command: Be like Him. Be merciful in thought, word and deed.
Let our hearts flow over with grace and mercy, continually filled up by the Holy Spirit at work in us.
More Jesus, less us!
* Lord God in Heaven,
Thank You for Your mercy to us, not giving to us what we deserve, and instead granting us rescue!
Thank You for Jesus’ work, for the lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.
Please help us to be merciful as You are merciful.
Amen.