Support for religious workers
๐ LEVIโ๏ธ ICUS 7:28-36 Support for religious workers
The priests were to dedicate all their time to serving God and the people in the sanctuary, and they had no time to earn income. In the Israel’s economy, the materials needs of priest were met under the sacrificial system because the law precluded them from agricultural employment (Num 18:20-24)
๐ God, who is merciful, had provided for the priests and their families : In today’s reading portion ( v 31-36 ), it is observed that “how large cuts of meat from FELLOWSHIP OFFERINGS were to be set aside as the Priest’s REGULAR Share” v 34
โ๏ธ Cutting Edge : “Regular Share” ( Our giving is not one time episode, it is an on going gestures ๐ )
๐ In addition, the Lord arranged for the priests to receive a portion of the TITHES and OFFERINGS.
So God ordained that their livelihood was to come directly from the OFFERINGS presented to him ( v 35 ) . These portions were to be the Priest’s perpetual share for GENERATIONS TO COME ( v 36 )
โ๏ธ Cutting Edge : ” Generations to come ” ( Our giving is a privilege and ought to be a contagious process, which must first begin at home ๐ )
๐ Paul writes “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” ( 1Cor 9:14; 1Tim 5:17-18 ) . This provision should come from the OFFERINGS given by the WORSHIPPERS . Churches have applied this principle in various ways . A teaching on CHRISTIAN GIVING is a mandatory , and must come from the pulpit at least once in a month โบ
This will enhance the GIVING for the generations to come ๐
๐ Jesus said , “The HARVEST is plentiful, but the WORKERS are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest , therefore, to send out WORKERS in his harvest field” Luke 10:2 .
๐ We all are praying for the WORKERS but how many of us praying and supporting for those WORKERS who are already in the fieldโ
๐ Most of us will definitely have some reservations :
How much to give โ
When to give โ
Where to give โ
But Why to give โ will cover all our queries .
๐ In the Parable of The Sheep and the Goats – Jesus commended to the one who is sitting on the right side and said, ” I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine , you did for me ” ( Matthew 25:34-40 )
๐ Beloved , we are Co-workers and Supporters of God’s WORKERS in GOD’S HARVEST FIELD . Let us stand firm. Always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labour in the Lord will not go in vain. ๐
๐ My Lord , I want to use your resources to the best of my abilities . Show me if there are any areas in my lifestyle or budget where I need to rethink how I am using what you have given me .
I want to be a Good Manager of all your things so that I can better support YOUR WORK. Amen ๐
Glory to God ๐
โ๐ฝ Mark Boje
Arunachal Pradesh, India ๐ฎ๐ณ