TITHING OUR TIME, CELEBRATING HIS SABBATH

Tithing was an essential element of Israelite society.  It was the practice of 
taking one tenth of one's income and giving it to the Lord.  These gifts were 
used to fund the services in the Temple and to support the Levites, who 
cared for the Temple facilities along with its supporting needs.

In addition to the tithe, the Israelites also set aside time for God.  The Bible 
calls it "Sabbath"—"rest.'  Every seventh day, the Israelites refrained from 
work and devoted that time to reflecting on their relationship with God.  It 
often included attendance at a synagogue service where God's Word was 
read and discussed and time was devoted to prayer.

Under the New Covenant—the New Testament—God no longer legislates 
our "giving" or the practice of observing "Sabbath."  This does not mean 
that Christians are "exempt" from these practices.  Rather, God has granted 
us the freedom and, hopefully, instilled within us the maturity to know when 
to give and when to rest and reflect.

While many Christians view Sunday as the day of rest (and rightfully so), 
every day should be a day of tithing and Sabbath for the child of God.  
Everyday we should set aside some time (tithing) to rest and reflect on our 
relationship with God (Sabbath).  It should include time for Bible study, 
prayer and meditation.  

Jesus urged his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, "But seek first his 
kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as 
well" (Mt. 6:33).  What better way to seek first the kingdom of God than to 
tithe our time and celebrate His Sabbath?  

God bless!

Leslie S. Chapman