Deuteronomy 14-16 / March 15 (Day 75)

As the LORD gave the nation of Israel His law, He wasn’t just giving them “religious” laws apart from civil laws; He was giving them His law that would govern every aspect of their life as a nation. Deuteronomy 14:28 talks about a tithe of the “third year;” this was another 10% given on the 3rd and 6th years during their seven year cycle that the poor could eat of. The United States has many programs to help the needy, but the people who fund these programs don’t do it as freewill offering from the heart; nope, pay your taxes or get fined. I’m not saying I’m opposed to every government program, but when people do it willingly as offerings to be a blessing, it works a whole lot better. When I give money to help feed the poor, I give to Christian ministries. I don’t do this just because I’m a Christian, but because they do so much more with less. When it is the government that is running the programs, so much of the funds are wasted or spent on bureaucracy. When people give from the heart and the stewardship of the money is by people who are serving out of love, so much more is done. If we had a nation that did things with the LORD’s principles, there would be very few poor amongst us and we would be doing it with a lot less. Why is it that taxes keep increasing and our nation isn't any better? The beautiful thing about God’s law is that it doesn’t just fix the natural problems (like poverty) but if fixes the real problems of the heart (like greed and fear of lack).