Giving what is not ours

Deuteronomy 26:1 - 11

In an episode of MASH, Hawkeye allows Radar to borrow a record player that belongs to Charles, without Charles being aware that his property is being lent.  Hawkeye makes the comment "gee it's easy being generous with other people's things."  This is the sentiment that lies behind the first fruits offering that the Israelites were required to give.  In a liturgical action, the ancient Israelites are combining an action that demonstrates their response to God's provision (the handing up of the first fruits) and remembering the provision of God throughout their history (reciting the litany).  Combined, this action and words reinforce for the Israelites the relationship they have with God.  This relationship is characterised by a proper recognition between the creator and the created, the relationship between the provider and the grateful recipient and the relationship of trust on the provision of God.

This reading adds to our understanding of the complexity of what is involved in giving our offering.  In giving generously to the mission of God through Emmanuel Uniting Church, in part we are declaring that who we are and what we have is God's, to be used for his worship and mission.  The idea of tithing (giving a fixed proportion of our income, in the Old Testament between 10% and 23%) provides an objective means of determining the level of returning to God what is ultimately his.