2 Chronicles 31:⁴ (King Hezekiah) commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, so that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord. ⁵ As soon as the word spread, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. ⁶ The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been consecrated to the Lord their God, and laid them in heaps. ⁷ In the third month they began to pile up the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. ⁸ When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and his people Israel. ⁹ Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps. ¹⁰ The chief priest Azariah, who was of the house of Zadok, answered him, “Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and have plenty to spare; for the Lord has blessed his people, so that we have this great supply left over.” 

This is a great example of God’s abundance. The people brought the tithe (10%) of their income to the temple so that the priests and Levites were provided for as they dedicated themselves in service to the Lord. The priests and Levites then had “this great supply left over” with which to provide for the poor and others in need. This principle still applies today friends. When we bring the full tithe to the Lord the ones doing the giving are blessed, the ministers and ministries of the Lord are provided for, and there is enough to spare to support persons in need. I’ve personally seen this apply in congregations I have led across socio-economic contexts (low income, middle income, high income). It’s God’s way of making sure everyone receives what is needed.

Lord give us grace to trust you with all we have and see your abundance flow. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.