Have you ever been taught that the purpose of tithing is to support the Levites and priests? While it’s true that tithes were given to the priests, that’s not the whole story. The first mention of tithing is in Genesis 14:20, where Abram gives a tithe to Melchizedek, the priest of God. Later, in Leviticus, God formalizes this practice as part of His covenant with Israel, ensuring provision for His priests.

But recently, while reading Deuteronomy, a verse stood out to me that I had never truly noticed before. In Deuteronomy 14:23, God reveals the deeper purpose behind tithing: “…that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.”

Did you catch that? The primary reason for tithing is to teach us to fear the Lord. And as Proverbs tells us, the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and life. So, when we tithe, it's not just an act of giving—it's a way to align our hearts with God’s wisdom and deepen our reverence for Him, unlocking the blessings of understanding and life.