Num
18:8, 10-12, 14, 16, 20 (NIV) Then the Lord said to Aaron, "I myself have
put you in charge of the offerings presented to me; all the holy offerings the
Israelites give me I give to you and your sons as your portion and regular
share. . . . Eat it as something most holy; every male shall eat it. You must
regard it as holy.
11
"This also is yours: whatever is set aside from the gifts of all the wave
offerings of the Israelites. I give this to you and your sons and daughters as
your regular share. Everyone in your household who is ceremonially clean may
eat it.
12
"I give you all the finest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain
they give the Lord as the firstfruits of their harvest.. . .
14
"Everything in Israel that is devoted to the Lord is yours. . . . 16 When they are a month old, you must
redeem them at the redemption price set at five shekels of silver, according to
the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs.
. . .
20 The
Lord said to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will
you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the
Israelites.
NOTE: The Levites
have no inheritance in the land. They are dependent upon the Lord, and at
another level to the people and their prescribed gifts. To the extent that the
people hear sound instruction, and then follow it, the Levites should be well
provided. But if there is a disconnect from the law and the lifestyle of the
leaders, the people will look cynically upon the spiritual leaders and probably
reduce their giving. The key is not more messages about giving but rather a
congruence between lifestyle, practice, and teaching. Ultimately God will
provide since God is their inheritance. But if they fail to provide a proper
example and good teaching, they will suffer hurt.
While this is
specific to the Levites, the principle is true for believers today. We might
never be rich, but we will be taken care of, provided we show a congruence of
our life, our action, and our words. We are a witness and it is not just in
word but in deed and love.
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