Saturday, December 24, 2011

Tithes to Feed the Hungry Soul

Deuteronomy 26

It is Christmas Eve!  We have been busy preparing to celebrate the nativity of our Lord!  As the three wise men before us, we have been preparing gifts for the children.  We have been giving to the hungry through various social organizations.  Generosity tends to abound during the month of December.  We read this morning (vs 12) that the tithe is given so that the Levites (those who attend the Lord's altar), the aliens, the orphans, and the widows may eat.  We give generously, we tithe, to provide to those in who are in need and cannot provide for themselves.  That is what the tithe is for.  It is not just to provide for a building where we gather together to worship the Lord, but to provide for those in need around us - those who are less fortunate and cannot provide for themselves. 

The church is a place where we gather together to pay homage to the God who created, who saved us, led us out of bondage.  It is a place where we can go to be refreshed with the Word and Sacraments.  We gather together as a family to be nurtured by the Spirit of Christ in one another.  But, the church is not a social club for elite members only.  When Jesus died on that cross he died so that all who would believe in him, might inherit eternal life.  And how will they believe unless they hear the Word - unless they hear the promises - unless they hear what our Lord has done for us?  How will they believe unless you (every member of every congregation) tells them? 

Those gifts and tithes to the church of God is not just about maintaining a building, but building up the whole temple of God.  It is about feeding his sheep - in word and in deed - both spiritually and phsyically.

Tonight you will hear how the angel told the shepherds in the field the good news that a saviour was born.  Today, and every day, act like the angels!  Go and tell - tell it on the mountain - tell it in every place that you might find yourself today - go and tell that Jesus Christ is born!  Go and feed a hungry soul!


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