26 Joseph decreed a land law in Egypt that is still in effect, A Fifth Goes to Pharaoh. Only the priests' lands were not owned by Pharaoh. (The Message)
I've never really paid much attention to this part of the Joseph's story. It would be nice to say that following the reunion of Joseph and his family that everyone lives happily ever after but that isn't the case. The famine that brought Joseph's family to Egypt continues and Joseph uses the circumstances to buy up flocks, land, and even people for Pharoah's benefit. When Pharaoh owned everything Joseph instituted a tax upon the people that required them to give 20% of everything that they produced to Pharaoh. They willingly paid this tax because they knew that everything they had and their very existence was because of what had been done for them in the time of great need.
Many places in the Bible mention the tithe (10%) that is to be given to God. It is a gift given as the first fruits as we saw in the story of Cain and Abel. For those of us who practice tithing one of the reasons we do so is because we recognize that everything comes from God in the first place and that without what God has done we would have nothing. It is not given as a tax as it was in Egypt but as an offering that represents our joy for all that God has done. The joy in our giving represents the level of understanding we have of what God has done/continues to do in our lives.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- When you read this chapter what part of the story stands out for you?
- Having read this much of Joseph's story what words might you use to describe him?
- What are your feelings about the offerings you give to God?
- How might your offerings better reflect what God has done / is doing in your life?
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