TUESDAY, JUNE 17
Scripture: Numbers 8:18-21

Numbers 8:19-21 is important because it tells us who God gave the tithe to. Once we understand that, then we can move forward. Verses 18,19 state, “I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.” God gave all the tithes in Israel to the Levites as an inheritance in return for the work they were to perform. It was important to know that this is the first covenant of salt in Scripture. The second covenant of salt provides the foundation for the Throne on which Christ sits. The first covenant of salt in Israel establishes the blessing on the children of Israel who give their tithes to the Levites. From this, we understand tithes were given to people. Tithes were not given to buildings, they were given to people. Offerings were given to buildings while tithes were given to people. Tithes are distinctly different from offerings. Tithes were given to people and offerings were given to buildings. Tithes were given for one purpose – they were given for spiritual food in the House of the Lord. That is the purpose of the tithe. It has not changed! The tithe was established as part of the covenant of salt, and it was a covenant that was established forever. The word in verse 19 makes it clear, “And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.” It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord, with us and our descendants after us. That has not changed. So the full five promises that God gives to everyone who tithes belongs to every obedient believer. And we need to understand that the tithe was given to the Levites so there would be spiritual food in God’s House. The purpose was so that the people in the church would be taught and understand God’s Word. The purpose was that if the people were taught God’s Word, they would not disobey simply for lack of knowledge. The tithe was to support people who had the task of spiritually feeding the church. This is biblical, it has not changed, and once we understand it, we are ready to go on with God. Understanding this builds a foundation because when we tithe, we make deposits in our Heavenly account. As a tither, we have a biblical, covenantal right to make withdrawals. If we participate in the covenant by investing and depositing, we get to participate in the covenant by withdrawing. I know not one person who deposits in an earthly bank that does not also withdraw. It should be the same for us that deposit in the Spirit. All who make deposits in our Heavenly account should learn how to make appropriate withdrawals.