Podcast Introduction Today we will complete the book of  Leviticus 25-27. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “Try Me.” Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Rhett Noonan on Unsplash Comments on Leviticus 27 If you’ve been listening very long to the show, you have probably noticed that I’m willing to talk about subjects that might make people uncomfortable. Subjects that others might prefer to avoid. My attitude is that those are the subjects that *need* to be talked about. God put them in His Word because He considers them important. So let’s talk about money. Verses 30-33  about tithes. The translation we used for chapter 27 today used the term “tenth-part gifts.” Verse 34, the closing verse of Leviticus, says, “These are the commands that the LORD gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites.” So giving tithes was a command. It was not optional. The question is, are we as believers in Jesus obligated to tithe? Let’s do a little digging. First, what is a tithe? A tithe is an offering of 10%. And it did not originate with the Mosaic Law. There are references to tithes being given in Genesis 14 and 28, before Moses was born. The New Testament does not give a requirement to tithe, but it does mention the tithe with favor. One example is Hebrews 7:4-10, when Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek.  Giving however, is commanded in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Paul even said that not only should giving should be done, but that it should be planned for and done regularly. “Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.” NLT And if that wasn’t enough, In 2 Corinthians 8:8, Paul says that giving is a test of our love for God, and those who do His work. And in 2 Corinthians 9:6, Paul compares giving to a farmer. The farmer who plants sparingly will reap sparingly. The one who plants generously will reap generously.  And then he goes on in the very next verse and says that each person must decide in his or her own heart how much to give, and don’t give reluctantly or because of pressure. Why? Paul said, “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And, he says, God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share wit