RPG Adults
OFFERING OF THE PRIESTS
MONDAY, APRIL 22
Leviticus 6
Malachi 3:8-10
“…it is a statute for ever
unto the LORD;
it shall be wholly burnt.”
OFFERING OF THE PRIESTS
Priests receive the tithes and offerings from the Israelites on behalf of the LORD since they do the work of the LORD and were not given any land to farm or sheep to look after. They were given forty-eight Levitical cities strategically strewn all over the length and breadth of Israel. Their only spiritual duty other than the service in the Tabernacle was to teach the Word of God to the people of Israel so that they lived in holiness and worshipped the LORD rightly. In this way the Land of Promise would be holy in Christ. As they looked after the spiritual well-being of the twelve tribes, these tribes were to look after the physical well-being of the priests, Levites and their families. In this symbiotic relationship, Israel functioned as one spiritual unit with God as King, a benevolent theocratic ruler. Thus, the firstfruits were given to the priests and their families, whereas the tithes were given to the Levites and their families. These firstfruits and tithes were holy as they were given to the LORD, but received on behalf of the LORD by the priests and Levites.
From these firstfruits, tithes and offerings, the priests and Levites also had to give their tithes. It was “the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night” (Lev 6:20). All of the tithes had to be wholly burnt. No one was permitted to eat any of it. The meaning and significance to the priesthood and Levites was the same. It was a reminder of their holiness unto the LORD. They were priests before the LORD, and not lords themselves. They were there to serve the LORD and His people, and not to lord over them. Giving tithes is a good reminder of devotion and servanthood. It is to keep the LORD’s servants humble. They consecrate their lives to the LORD knowing that all that they are and have are from the LORD. They belong to the LORD. They ought to be grateful and thankful. No one is exempted from giving their tithes to the LORD. Pastors and fulltime workers must give of their tithes to the LORD in grateful thanks like all of God’s children.
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 6:23
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, for the privilege of giving. Help me to give of my life daily for Thy use, in Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.