Supporting the Priests and the Lord

Numbers Chapter 18

The Lord told Aaron that he, his sons and relatives from the tribe of Levi would be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary. But he and his sons alone would be held liable for violations connected with the priesthood. He had Aaron bring his relatives to assist in the sacred duties but he warned them they must be careful not to touch any sacred objects or the altar and if they do, both Aaron and they would die. He repeated that no one who is not a Levite must officiate with Aaron and his sons.

The Lord promised if the sacred duties were followed, his anger would never again blaze against the people of Isreal.

Further, the Lord put the priests in charge of all the holy gifts given to him by the people. He gave a portion of the offerings including grain, sin and guilt offerings to Aaron and his sons and it must be eaten all up and treated as holy. He gave more instructions in verses 11 through 20 including supporting the priests from tithes of the people.

All Israelites, other than the priests and Levites, were to stay away from the Tabernacle. If they came too near, they would die. This was an offense that resulted in death. The Levites would not inherit land, which is why the Lord gave them tithes. In return the Lord asked the Levites to give one tenth of the tithes back to the Lord as a gift and he would consider it their harvest offering or wine from their own winepress.

The Lord asked the Levites to present the best part of the tithes to him. And he asked them to treat the holy gifts of the people as though they were truly holy.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW the Levies were ministers by vocation and therefore had no other means of support like land to harvest or vineyards to grow wine. They had to treat the income from the tithes of the Israelites in the same way as the Israelites - by giving a portion to care for the needs of other Levites and of the Tabernacle.

How does this chapter relate to us today? This chapter is about giving a portion of our income to the church. We don't have a harvest to give, nor vineyards, we support outselves with money. Our churches represent the Tabernacle. The churches need money to pay ministers, for church utilities, for all kinds of upkeep to the church and its grounds.

The Lord showed that he expected a tithe from the people and he still expects it today. Nobody is exempt from helping the churches. In fact, in today's world, we should be helping more than ever to make our churches inviting places to worship and attract more Christians to worship. Granted, looks are not the most important part of a church, but would God want anything less? Doesn't he deserve the best? Tithing honors our God.

Yours in Christ,
Mary