Gifts to the Priest

Numbers 18: 8-11 -  The Lord spoke to Aaron: I have given you charge of the offerings made to me, all the holy gifts of the Israelites; I have given them to you and your sons as a priestly portion due you in perpetuity.  This shall be yours from the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs that they render to me as a most holy thing, whether grain offering, sin offering, or guilt offering, shall belong to you and your sons.  As a most holy thing you shall eat it; every male may eat it; it shall be holy to you.  This also is yours: I have given to you, together with your sons and daughters, as a perpetual due, whatever is set aside from the gifts of all the elevation offerings of the Israelites; everyone who is clean in your house may eat them.

 

God made special provisions to care for the caretakers of his house. He reserved a portion of the holy offerings brought to the Lord...just for the priests and his assistants….so that they would be nourished… not just with the spirit of God…but physically as well. And long as they kept themselves clean before the Lord...they and their families could eat of the offerings brought to the Lord.

 

These special workers were called of God…to do a special service.  He wanted their minds and hearts totally focused on him…so they could care for his tabernacle…and complete all the duties he had assigned them to do.  They were not allowed to own land...and without land they had no way to raise food for their families…no cattle or sheep to offer sacrifices to atone for their own sins.

 

Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14,  “ Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?  In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” 

 

God still expects us to care for his called and anointed clergy. He still wants them totally focused on his church and the feeding of the believers he grouped together to form it. He still wants them to be focused on leading the many lost to find a home for Christ in their hearts…so that they can become active members in a church as well. And so…whatever title your clergy goes by…he should be compensated well for his work for the Lord. 

 

 

Father…I thank you this morning for the special way you care for your leaders in the church you established for us to worship you. Open my heart to give a full tithe…one that can be combined with all the other offerings from my church family….one that will completely care for the family of the man you called to pastor the church you called me to be a part of….so he can concentrate on the special work you called him to do. Bless him and his family this season of giving with an extra portion of gifts…so that he will be reminded of your goodness and total provision. Amen.