Numbers 18: Supporting our chosen ministers in ministry.
In chapter 18 of Numbers, we see that the Levites were the chosen ministers among the 12 Tribes of Israel. God had chosen them for whatever reason. Does God really need a reason to choose someone or a group of people for his divine purposes? Perhaps He knows the heart.
The Tribe of Levi had the family of Aaron, who would be the priests. Under Aaron came his two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, who would follow the priestly line to minister to the congregation of Israel. The Tribe of Levi also had three leading families. Gershom, Merari, and Coath. If you remember the past article on Korah, he was of the family of Coath. This family had the responsibility of transporting the most holy objects on their shoulders from the Tent of Meeting. This was the hierarchy of the Tribe of Levi. All priests were Levites, yet not all Levites were priests.
In chapter 18, God speaks directly to Aaron, telling him that his family and the other Levites would bear the responsibility of ministering to the other Tribes. They would represent "God" and would be the mediators between the other Tribes and God. But He also told Aaron that they would be maintained and supported with the offerings made by the other tribes. These offerings would be "meat" from the sacrificial animals such as lambs, goats, bulls, and rams. They would also receive a portion of the grain offerings such as wheat flour and fruit from the harvests. They would be taken care of. They would receive places to live among the territories of the other 11 tribes. God wanted to be sure that HIS representatives would be cared for.
Today, God has chosen different ministers in different ministries. We have pastors, rabbis, associate pastors, and associate rabbis. Sunday School teachers and Torah teachers. Youth ministers, Music ministers, praise and worship ministers, and those who sing in the choir. Many of these ministers have secular jobs and receive their financial support from them, yet others depend on their ministry jobs. Ministry might be their sole job. The Apostle Paul was a missionary, yet he also supported himself as a tent maker.
In some countries, pastors and rabbis do not receive salaries from their congregations, or, if they do, the pay isn't much. We should consider them when we receive blessings under their guidance and teaching ministry. We can give them offerings of money, of food, of gifts of different sorts as a way of thanking them for their service to the LORD by serving members of their congregations.
So read chapter 18 of Numbers. Just as the Levites were chosen to serve God by serving the other tribes, God has chosen ALL of us for different roles in ministry using our spiritual gifts. Even though we do not serve the LORD because of money or gifts, the Word of God tells us, "The Worker is worthy of his wages" (1 Timothy 5:18). So, those who work in ministry should be supported by those who benefit from ministry.
The next time Shabbat or Sunday comes around, remember your rabbi or pastor and those who serve. You might bring them a small financial gift, or some food, "a frozen Lasagna to take home," maybe a basket of fruit or some artisan bread from a bakery. Just a way of saying "Thank you" for the work they do. They teach God's Word and therefore have a big responsibility in the Kingdom of God.
In chapter 18 of Numbers, we see that the Levites were the chosen ministers among the 12 Tribes of Israel. God had chosen them for whatever reason. Does God really need a reason to choose someone or a group of people for his divine purposes? Perhaps He knows the heart.
The Tribe of Levi had the family of Aaron, who would be the priests. Under Aaron came his two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, who would follow the priestly line to minister to the congregation of Israel. The Tribe of Levi also had three leading families. Gershom, Merari, and Coath. If you remember the past article on Korah, he was of the family of Coath. This family had the responsibility of transporting the most holy objects on their shoulders from the Tent of Meeting. This was the hierarchy of the Tribe of Levi. All priests were Levites, yet not all Levites were priests.
In chapter 18, God speaks directly to Aaron, telling him that his family and the other Levites would bear the responsibility of ministering to the other Tribes. They would represent "God" and would be the mediators between the other Tribes and God. But He also told Aaron that they would be maintained and supported with the offerings made by the other tribes. These offerings would be "meat" from the sacrificial animals such as lambs, goats, bulls, and rams. They would also receive a portion of the grain offerings such as wheat flour and fruit from the harvests. They would be taken care of. They would receive places to live among the territories of the other 11 tribes. God wanted to be sure that HIS representatives would be cared for.
Today, God has chosen different ministers in different ministries. We have pastors, rabbis, associate pastors, and associate rabbis. Sunday School teachers and Torah teachers. Youth ministers, Music ministers, praise and worship ministers, and those who sing in the choir. Many of these ministers have secular jobs and receive their financial support from them, yet others depend on their ministry jobs. Ministry might be their sole job. The Apostle Paul was a missionary, yet he also supported himself as a tent maker.
In some countries, pastors and rabbis do not receive salaries from their congregations, or, if they do, the pay isn't much. We should consider them when we receive blessings under their guidance and teaching ministry. We can give them offerings of money, of food, of gifts of different sorts as a way of thanking them for their service to the LORD by serving members of their congregations.
So read chapter 18 of Numbers. Just as the Levites were chosen to serve God by serving the other tribes, God has chosen ALL of us for different roles in ministry using our spiritual gifts. Even though we do not serve the LORD because of money or gifts, the Word of God tells us, "The Worker is worthy of his wages" (1 Timothy 5:18). So, those who work in ministry should be supported by those who benefit from ministry.
The next time Shabbat or Sunday comes around, remember your rabbi or pastor and those who serve. You might bring them a small financial gift, or some food, "a frozen Lasagna to take home," maybe a basket of fruit or some artisan bread from a bakery. Just a way of saying "Thank you" for the work they do. They teach God's Word and therefore have a big responsibility in the Kingdom of God.
