The Hebrew word “masser” (מַסֵּר) typically refers to the concept of a tribute or tax. In biblical contexts, it often implies a form of contribution or obligation, particularly in relation to the offerings made to support religious functions or the community.
Scripture
30 Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.
31 If a man wishes to redeem some of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it.
32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord.
33 “He shall not differentiate between good and bad, neither shall he make a substitute for it; and if he does substitute for it, then both it and the substitute shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.”
Definition of “Masser” in the Bible
The Hebrew word “masser” (מַסֵּר) embodies the idea of tribute or tax, representing a moral and communal obligation that reinforces social and religious structures within ancient Israelite society. Seen most prominently in texts such as 2 Kings 23:35 and 2 Chronicles 24:4, where contributions to the temple for its repair and upkeep are discussed, “masser” encapsulates the notion of collective responsibility among the people. This communal contribution was not merely a civic duty but also a religious act, reflecting an acknowledgment of God’s provision and the need for sustaining worship practices essential for spiritual life within the community.
The broader implications of “masser” extend beyond financial obligations; they symbolize the interconnectedness of community and faith. Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages believers to honor the Lord with their wealth, indicating that such contributions are an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and generosity. By engaging in the practice of “masser,” individuals participate in a covenantal relationship with God, thereby affirming their commitment to the wellbeing of both their spiritual and physical communities. Thus, “masser” serves as a reminder of the shared responsibilities that define a community of faith, emphasizing that contributions are necessary for preserving both religious tradition and social cohesion.
In addition to the contexts of financial obligations and community building, the concept of “masser” in the Hebrew Bible also resonates with themes of justice and fair governance. The agricultural practices of ancient Israel often included measures that ensured equitable distribution of resources, which are intimately tied to the concept of tribute. The notion of tithing or offering a portion of what one has, be it grain, livestock, or other goods, reflects a fundamental belief that one’s blessings should not only serve personal gain but also benefit those in need. It underscores a principle of social welfare, whereby the productive members of society contribute to the sustenance of those less fortunate, creating a collective safety net that fosters unity and compassion.
Furthermore, “masser” can also be seen as an expression of gratitude towards God for His bountiful provisions. This acknowledgment reinforces the idea that wealth and resources are divinely sanctioned, and through acts of giving, individuals express their recognition of God’s role in their lives. Contributions were often seen as acts of worship, helping to maintain the sacred spaces and rituals that formed the backbone of communal religious life. The interplay between personal prosperity and communal obligation reinforces a theological understanding that abundance carries with it an ethical responsibility; thus, through “masser,” believers cultivate a lifestyle that is not only rooted in gratitude but also in a commitment to uphold and enrich the community as a whole.
The Concept of Tithing
The Hebrew word “masser” primarily refers to the practice of tithing, which involves giving a tenth of one’s produce or income to God. This act is seen as a way to acknowledge God’s provision and sovereignty over one’s life. Tithing is not merely a financial obligation but a spiritual discipline that fosters gratitude and trust in God’s continued blessings.
Social Responsibility and Community Support
In a broader sense, “masser” also embodies the idea of social responsibility within the community. By giving a portion of one’s resources, individuals contribute to the welfare of the less fortunate, including the Levites, orphans, and widows. This communal aspect emphasizes the importance of caring for one another and ensuring that all members of society have their needs met.
Spiritual Growth and Faith Development
Additionally, the practice of “masser” is linked to spiritual growth and faith development. Engaging in the act of giving encourages believers to cultivate a generous heart and develop a deeper reliance on God. It serves as a reminder that material possessions are temporary and that true wealth lies in one’s relationship with God and the community.
How to Embrace Generosity in Your Christian Walk
Embracing generosity in your Christian walk is a beautiful way to reflect the heart of Christ, who gave everything for us. Start by recognizing that generosity isn’t just about money; it encompasses your time, talents, and love. Look for opportunities to serve others in your community—whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, helping a neighbor in need, or simply offering a listening ear to someone who is struggling. Remember, it’s the spirit behind the giving that matters most; even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. Pray for a heart that is open to giving, and ask God to guide you in how you can share your blessings. As you cultivate a generous spirit, you’ll find that it not only enriches the lives of others but also deepens your own faith and connection to God.
Bible References to Hebrew Word “Masser”:
Numbers 18:21-24: 21 “To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting,
22 So the people of Israel shall no longer come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die.
23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity. It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, and among the people of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
24 For the tithe of the people of Israel, which they present as a contribution to the Lord, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance. Therefore I have said of them that they shall have no inheritance among the people of Israel.”
Deuteronomy 12:6-7: 6 And there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the contribution that you present, your vow offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock.
7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.
Deuteronomy 14:22-29: 22 “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year.
23 And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.
24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the Lord your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses, to set his name there,
25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the Lord your God chooses
26 and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.
27 And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.
28 “At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns.
29 And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.
Deuteronomy 26:12-15: 12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled,”
13 then you shall say before the Lord your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.
14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God.
15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.’
2 Chronicles 31:5-6: 5 As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.
6 And the people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things that had been dedicated to the Lord their God, and laid them in heaps.
Nehemiah 10:35-39: 35 We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord;
36 also to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns.
37 and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.
38 And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive the tithes. And the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse.
39 For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the storerooms where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.”
Nehemiah 12:44-47: 44 On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and for the Levites according to the fields of the towns, for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who ministered.
45 And they performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the command of David and his son Solomon.
46 For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers; and they set apart that which was for the Levites; and the Levites set apart that which was for the sons of Aaron.
Nehemiah 13:10-12: 10 I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field.
11 So I confronted the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their stations.
12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses.
Amos 4:4-5: 4 “Come to Bethel, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days;”
5 Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel,” declares the Lord God.
Malachi 3:8-10: 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.
9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.
10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
Matthew 23:23-24: 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
Luke 11:42-44: 42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
44 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.
Hebrews 7:1-10: 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!
5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham.
6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.
8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.
9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,
10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.