<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder I thank God for forty years of life on earth (as of January 16) and for 40 years of new life with him as a baptized believer. I celebrate and give thanks for my time with you in this column. Q: I have wondered about Deuteronomy 14:26-29. It says to spend the tithe on "whatever your heart desires." Could you please explain this part of Scripture for me? A: The interpretation I prefer is that these verses speak of the same tithe as mentioned earlier in the books of Moses, clarifying things now that Israel is nearing the time of entering into the Promised Land and settling down into regular, orderly lives. If you read Numbers 18:21-29 also, you see more of the pattern. Each year, a tenth of all the produce was gathered for the Levites. This would be taken to the place where the Lord would "choose to put his Name." For a time, this was where the Tabernacle was located. Later, it was the Temple. If one were close-by, he could easily bring a tenth of his crops and flocks' increase. If farther away, he'd exchange the produce for silver, redeeming it when he got to the holy place. A festival then ensued. The family would eat of its tithe along with priests and Levites and all of Israel, in the presence of the Lord. What was left became property of the Levites for their support. The Levites then gave 10 percent of what they received to the Lord as offerings and to his High Priest. Every third year, the tithe was not eaten by the givers, but was collected for the poor and for the Levites. The tithe was God's way of causing Israel to acknowledge that all they received came from him. Giving was a sign of their trust in his continuing to supply them. Not even the clergy were exempt. Although they stood in the Lord's behalf in teaching the people and interceding for them, they still were of the covenant people, and were bound by Israel's obligations to the Lord. As you noted, the people were to buy whatever they liked for the tithe feast. This was party time! This ten percent was not to be "blown" on a gigantic, drunken orgy. Still, giving to the Lord was to be a celebration. The Lord gave all to his people. Thanking him by returning 10 percent was not only a duty but a joyful privilege. God doesn't tell us here not to give to him and his church. He does give us an idea as to our focus and our attitude. Not wishing to sermonize, I merely repeat: Giving to the Lord is cause for celebration! Q: Is there any Scripture to back the method of Baptism adopted by the Methodist Church? (I am Methodist.) Also, is there Scripture to back the baptism of babies? A: Sprinkling is the normal mode employed in the Methodist Church. There's no Biblical command against it, since "baptize" merely means "wash with water." No particular method is handed down by the Lord. In the language of the day, folks baptized themselves, their dishes, their hands, or anything else that was dirty. How baptism was done depended on the person, what was being "baptized," and how dirty it was. The Bible never says not to baptize babies. In fact, God never sets an age. We read of "households" being baptized. Christ, in Matthew 28, speaks of "all nations." Paul says it is "for you and your children." It comes down to interpreting the words of Scripture. Are all people born spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God--focused only on self? Does God seek and find us who are lost? Does he do this by creating faith and forgiving sins? Does God create faith through water and the Word? Is Holy Baptism God's forgiveness in action? If Scripture answers "yes" to these questions, then infant baptism is what we should practice. 1 Peter 3:21 says, "Baptism now saves us." Each of us (infant or adult) needs to be saved by what Titus 3:5 calls "the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." The Bible never says, "Wait!" Those who worry that baptism should be delayed until children demonstrate the ability to believe should check Christ's words in Matthew 18:6. There He warns about causing sinful offense against "one of these little ones who believe in Me." The word translated as "little one" is used in Greek (the language of the New Testament) to mean children under three years of age! Jesus seems to think that tykes two and under can receive the gift of faith and can believe in God. I think it wise to follow Jesus' lead in this. Until next week, when, Lord willing, we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.