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| Numbers 18:29-32 |
“But you shall not profane the holy gifts of the children of Israel, lest you die” (Numbers 18:32).
This is a directive from God via Moses for the priests in how they were to treat the offerings of the children of Israel. God gave the offerings to the Israelites for their service of the temple. Their requirement was to also give a tithe of what they received. Then it was theirs for food for them and their families.
It was the last line of the last verse which struck me when the priests were instructed not to profane the holy gifts of the children of Israel. They were not to treat them common nor were they to disrespect their offerings. They were not to keep the best for themselves, but to give a tithe of the best, “lest you die” (Numbers 18:32).
When Jesus cleansed the temple of those who bought and sold and the money changers, this was His purpose (Matthew 21:12). The priests had become so corrupt they were not accepting peoples’ sacrifices as holy. They found imperfections and forced them to buy new more expensive animals. Also, those who traveled a long way were allowed to sell their items and bring cash to repurchase the items in the city to then make their offerings to the Lord. These were also sold at a significant mark-up.
We are kings and priests in the kingdom of God. How are we treating the offerings others bring into the temple? How can we judge another servant’s offering (Romans 14:4)? Their offering is between them and the Lord. We are not in a position to judge. One who gives a great deal may be doing so out of their abundance while the one who gives little may be giving all they have (Mark 12:42-44). This applies to money, time, or items given. We should never judge whether a person’s offering seems like a lack of commitment. By so doing we profane their offering and the guilt lies with us, regardless of being right or wrong.
It is easy to become a sour servant when we get our eyes off of our own calling, when we become weary in well doing and begin to judge the seeming lack of service from others. We are the ones told not to “grow weary in well-doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). If you are feeling overburdened, you need to take a look at the load you are carrying and remember Jesus said “[His] yoke is easy and [His] burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). Instead of beginning to disdain the offerings of those around you, check yourself. God did not call you to do all you see which needs to be done. If you are serving to the point of bitterness, may I suggest the issue lies with you and not with the lack of those around you.
The warning for the priests and Levites was “lest you die.” This seems like we out to take it seriously. If the priests of the Old Testament would die, we can be sure every time we judge another’s commitment, offering, or gift, we sear our own conscience. No, we are not going to die outright, but spiritually our hearts become a little harder each time we cast a disapproving side-stair at one made in God’s own image.
Instead of becoming frustrated with someone why not try to get to know them better, find out what is going on in their life. If you know them well, even if you believe you have reason to judge, pray for them, minister to them, love them (1 Corinthians 12:25; 1 Timothy 2:8; Philippians 2:3, 4). I think Peter gives us good advice, “All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous (1 Peter 3:8). Judgement never helped anyone. It does not fix the person being judged and it only brings judgment back on us (Matthew 7:2).
Wherever you find yourself today in light of this discussion, will you simply pray and ask the Lord if you need to make any adjustments in activities or attitudes today? Wherever there is judgment, let us pray; wherever there is discernment, let us minister. There are enough forces in the earth seeking to tear us down, let us not join their efforts. Instead, let’s lift one another up “let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).
Let’s keep this spirit alive in us not only in church, but as we move through the hustle and bustle of this Christmas Season. Let us bring peace to those around us as Jesus has brought peace to us. It will not only bring joy to others it will always reap a reward in our own hearts.
I want to share a quick experience I had yesterday with you. Twice I beat other drivers to the intersection and waved them on ahead of me. I let them go first even though I had the right of way. Then at an intersection I watched car after car race through in front of a pedestrian. I also had time to race through before he got to my lane, but I stopped and made sure he had a safe crossing. All three waved a thank you to me as though I had just given them one hundred dollars.
I have to say the joy I got back was far greater than getting to my next stops more quickly than I had. It was worth the joy I shared and received back. My last stop was the grocery store and I needed to get home to let my dog out. I stood in a line with three items behind a lady with a full cart. She immediately turned and offered me to go ahead of her. We always get back what we are putting out. Maybe not as quickly as I did yesterday, but it was such a great reminder to be aware of how I am judging and treating those around me.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7, 8).