Unlikely Leaders

The Joy of Liberal Giving

In his first letter to the Corinthian believers, Paul gave instruction about supporting God’s work. He asked: ULe 124.1

“Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? ... ULe 124.2

“For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.’ Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.” ULe 124.3

The apostle further asked, “Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake in the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:7-10, 13, 14.) ULe 124.4

The priests who ministered in the temple were supported by the people to whom they ministered spiritual blessings. “Those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law” (Hebrews 7:5). The tribe of Levi was chosen by the Lord for the priesthood. (See Deuteronomy 18:5.) The Lord claimed one tenth of all the increase as His own, and He regarded withholding of the tithe as robbery. ULe 124.5

Paul referred to this plan for supporting the ministry when he said, “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18). ULe 124.6

Payment of the tithe was just one part of God’s plan for the support of His service. The people were taught to cultivate a spirit of liberality. The law of Moses specified many gifts and offerings. At the harvest and the vintage, the people dedicated the first fruits of the field to the Lord. Produce that the reapers missed and what grew in the corners of the field were reserved for the poor. The first fruits of the wool when the sheep were shorn, and of the grain when the wheat was threshed, were set apart for God. So were the firstborn of all animals, and families paid a redemption price for the firstborn son. ULe 124.7

In this way the people were reminded that God was the owner of their fields, flocks, and herds. It was He who sent the sunshine and the rain that ripened the harvest. They were only managers of His goods. ULe 124.8