Supporting our ministers in ministry! (Numbers chapter 18)

[Jimmie]

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.

 

[Twistie]

Ya well here in America most these temples(churches) are Synagogues of satan..
Many lead their congregation into sin

Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;”

Many are having it hard these days n many of those who are supposed to feeding the sheep have only been feeding themselves..

Lord told me He about to cut the tail from the head

All these temples stealing in the name of the Lord about to get a wake up call they probably are not even expecting..

Lord called me out of man taught traditional worship a while back He also took me to many temples(churches) so i could see what they are doing..

Anyone who depends on another person to plant good seeds with their dead offerings just shows that it is the blind leading the blind to be quite frank..

This is an exciting time to be Alive Lord told me.. i been waiting to see the fall of these false temples for a minute

Can ya imagine what all them leaders are gonna say when having to take accountability for all them people they claim they are feeding yet they dont even know their name..

Why would one want to be held accountable for someone whos name they know not?? Thats like totally absurd dont you think?


Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.