Who eats the tithe?

Some facts about Tithing that might make for an awkward sermon.

 Read this...from Moses, given as part of the law in Deut 14 - i think this is the first time (chronologically) that tithing is mentioned, although it was perhaps a common cultural practice. Anyone got comments. But check out the bits in red: 

Tithes

^{Deut 14: 22} Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. ²³ Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of theLord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. ²⁴ But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away), ²⁵ then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. ²⁶ Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice. ²⁷ And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

²⁸ At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, ²⁹ so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Pretty much YOU are to comsume your tithe with your family as an act of worship. I think the implication is that the firstfruits should be enjoyed by you and your family and you should use them to remember the Lord and worship him.

At what point did we turn this into "you should pay your church leaders?"

I think there is a VERY strong argument for supporting the church financially as a central way to do the bits in blue above....sometimes this might mean paying salaries - i get that. BUT it's very important we don't slip into this priestly model of paying someone to be the man close to God, on our behalf. This, i think undercuts the personal relationship God invites us in to.

PLEASE tell me your thoughts - i think i need help on this one.