As of the 2010 Census report1, 39.8 million people in this nation are living in poverty; while approximately one in seven households goes without food. About seventy-five percent2 of the American population identifies themselves as Christians. That means 234,052,709 people profess to be followers of Jesus Christ. What would happen if we all gave at least ten percent (10%) of our groceries to the church or some other charity to help those 39.8 million? Sound crazy? Actually, it’s biblical!
Leviticus 27:30 says, ‘And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD.’ Biblically speaking, ten percent (10%) of all agriculture belongs to God. So let’s break that down. That means every time 234,052,709 Christians go grocery shopping, a tenth of all their groceries belongs to the LORD.
But maybe you think supermarket tithing isn’t under the New Covenant. Better tell Jesus because he didn’t get the memo. The Lord said in Mt 23:23, ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice, and mercy and faith. These you OUGHT TO HAVE DONE, WITHOUT leaving the others undone.’ Mint, anise, and cumin are herbs; in essence - food. So even in the new covenant, tithing FOOD is expected.
Please don’t misconstrue this. I am in no way trying to tell you how to spend your money or make you feel guilty. Honestly, the LORD gave me this revelation almost nine years ago and I just put it into practice last weekend. But I wanted to share this with you. Because when we know better, we do better.
However, if you aren’t tithing financially, perhaps beginning with ten percent of your shopping cart would be a start. Don’t just purchase Great Value and Best Choice either. Remember, the tithe, whether food or finances, goes to God – by way of your church. ‘It is Holy to the LORD.’ (Can you imagine – grocery shopping being holy and time of worship? WOW!!!)
For time and convenience, consider purchasing gift cards from your local supermarket and putting them in the collection plate on Sundays. That way if the church wanted to buy ground meat or turkey for a family, they could. Pastors and ministry leaders, keep in mind, perishable items are good but meat is also essential in the lives of those in need.
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REFERENCES
1 http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm
2 http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/christiantoday.htm
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