Are You Earning Your Keep?

I don't mean to overstep, but I'd like to talk to you about your finances: specifically, your paycheck.

In Numbers 18, there's a lot of offering and tithing going on. I'm going to try to make this as concise as possible: the people (Israel) gave their tithes and offerings to the Levites; a tithe being one-tenth of whatever they produced or earned, and an offering being the best of the best, the firstfruits of all they had. It's really not that simple, but I need to get to my point. So, the people hand over their tithes and offerings to the Levites who served in the tabernacle (later, the temple). After removing one-tenth, the Levites hand the people's tithes and offerings over to the priests in sacrifice. Once these have been given to the Lord, they will be given back to the Levites for sustenance (God's way of providing for them). The Levites, on their own behalf, give the reserved one-tenth to the priests in sacrifice. Once sacrificed to God, the one-tenth is given to the priests for sustenance (God's way of providing for them).

1 Peter 2:4-5, 9 says we are now priests, and our job is to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:15-16 says those sacrifices come in the form of praises and good deeds which are pleasing to the Lord. Our bodies themselves, our schedules, our possessions, our lives belong to God and are, therefore, the means by which we serve and honor Him. So, are you earning your keep?

The priests in Aaron's day, when God spoke the words we find in Numbers 18, served the Lord and the people. Numbers 18:1 declares Aaron and his family responsible for all that goes on in the sanctuary and the integrity of the priesthood. The priests were to stand in the gap for the people. They went before God and gave, on behalf of the people, the sacrifices that would honor God. The priests had to remain acceptable to the Lord in their observance of Torah. They could not allow corruption to enter the presence of God --in which case, God would have to impose His justice by destroying it (or him)-- and in this way affirmed His holiness as well as protected the people from the consequences of sin. In this way, they "earned their keep."

Are you, as a believer, fulfilling the responsibility of the priesthood? Are you earning your keep? Please note, these are the questions I asked myself as I read this passage this morning. I pray I will continue to ask these often as I seek to serve the Lord with my life. Am I standing in the gap for others through prayer? Am I lifting the names and situations of others before the Lord as often as I'm making suggestions of things He can take care of for me? Am I pleading for the lives of those who don't know Him? Am I obeying, keeping my words pleasing to Him and my thoughts pure? Am I, everyday, all day living the life that was purchased for me at the cross, or some watered down, Sundays only version? Am I a good imitator of Christ, or might others fall away because of my poor leadership? Am I earning my keep?

The priests and Levites of Israel received the best portions for their service to the Lord and His people. As believers, we have already received the righteousness of Christ, freedom from sin and death, the best of the best. Our account has already been credited. However, it's what we give back in service to Him, our loyalty to and stewardship of the priesthood that will sustain us in ways we never imagined. Let's get out there today and earn our keep!

Photo courtesy LuAnn Martin