And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever. This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons. In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee. And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it. (Num. 18:8-11)
Since the Levites did not have cities of their own, they were to take of that which was given unto God and which God had given them as His servants. They were not to take of that which He kept as His own which was to be burnt as an offering unto Him but could keep that which remained after it was offered and sacrificed unto God, as well as the offerings not burnt. God provided for His servants through the giving of the people as they served Him and His people in the tabernacle. The offerings given were still holy unto the Lord and so the priests were to remain holy and sanctified as they shared the offering of the Lord. It was not only His gift unto His servants but also His provision for them as they served Him, the tabernacle, and His people.
Those that serve God and are called to the ministry are worthy of their hire. While many volunteer and are provided for in other ways, God desires for His servants to be taken care of as the people of God give generously and cheerfully unto God for the care of His ministers. The servants and ministers of God who are called into full time service unto the Lord are to be provided for by the people of God. God has determined this upon His people, that those who serve the people, not as overlords, but as shepherds feeding the flock which is among them, are to worthy of their hire and provided for by the gifts and offerings of the people. Those who do not yet know God and are not yet born again through repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary may not understand that God’s servants do not work for the church but for God and our calling is not to a job but to a ministry. The people of God ought to understand this and give accordingly for the care and provision of the ministers and servants of God.
As His servants, God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet