Deuteronomy 14: Tithing is more, so much more than handing my money over!

As I was reading this morning, I came across something completely new to me. In all my time studying and talking about tithing, I don’t know how I’ve missed this before. I’ve always known the verse about how the Lord loves a cheerful giver, but I guess I’ve always thought of tithing as simply

"handing it over" because, after all, God gave it to me in the first place. I’ve never had a problem doing it. He provides 100% of everything I have. He lets me keep 90% and only asks for 10%. That’s never really felt hard for me. I feel like I have always had this giving thing figured out...then there was today, I read this:

“You shall eat the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock before the Lord your God in the place where He chooses to establish His Name….” (Deuteronomy 14:23 AMP)

They ate the tithe? In His sacred presence? I had to sit with that for a minute. I’ve always known giving was important, but this verse highlighted something deeper — giving not just as a form of worship, but as a form of fellowship with Him too. It’s not just about handing something over; it’s about celebrating with God.

It’s a practice that teaches us to lean on Him, but it also strengthens our relationship when we pause to enjoy His goodness with Him. I never really thought of it like that before.

What if I approached giving like that — not just as a command or a transaction, but as time spent with God in gratitude? What if I saw it as a moment to celebrate all He’s provided instead of just giving because He asked it of me? That changes things for me.