SUPPORT THE POOR. In the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th years of the agricultural cycle, the second tithe, ma’aser sheni, was taken to Yerushalayim. This tithe allowed the Yisraelites to support themselves when they journeyed to Yerushalayim for the three pilgrimage festivals. They would have food to eat and would invite others—the Levites, the stranger, the fatherless, the widow, and the poor—to share in their festivities so they too could praise YAHUAH (Deb. 26:13). In the 3rd and 6th years, the second tithe went directly to the poor (ma’aser ani), and they could eat it wherever they wished. Today, we still must give to the poor. The first 10% (ma’aser rishon) goes to the Levites, and since we are no longer on an agricultural cycle, we should allow the Set-Apart Spirit to guide us in how to give ma’aser sheni and ma’aser ani. Surely, we must consider the poor. There will always be poor in the world (Mat. 26:11), and YAHUAH requires those who have more to give to those who have less. This is one way that YAHUAH shows His loving-commitment to the poor—He blesses them through the hands of the rich (the ‘rich’ simply being those who have more). “He who shows favour to the poor lends to יהוה, And He repays his deed” (Mish. 19:17). When we are obedient and show favor to the poor, we are lending to YAHUAH Himself. He is forever trustworthy, and He will repay. All that is given to the poor is repaid in full plus interest in this life.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 21:03:06 +0000
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