05 >> "Who came up with this support-raising idea?

Nearly 3,300 years ago, God designed a comprehensive financial plan that would adequately provide the salaries and benefits of His full-time workers. In the book of Numbers, God called the Levites to be His first full-time ministers.

There were plenty of qualified and motivated laymen (i.e. Moses, Joshua, Caleb) to work in the tabernacle, but God was looking for more than part-time help and summer lifeguards. He wanted to meet the demanding spiritual needs of the nation, and even the most dedicated workers could not possibly meet these needs, in their spare time alone.

So, God created a position for vocational ministers in His kingdom, and these first full-time workers, the Levites, were instructed to rely on God for their income and financial stability.

The Lord tells Aaron in Numbers 18:20,21 "…I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel…to the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform…" (See also Deuteronomy 18:1,2.)

The Lord staked His credibility on providing financial security for His servants. While the nation of Israel worked the land and faced the financial uncertainties of drought, disease and famine, the Lord promised to provide for the Levites through the tithes and offerings of their countrymen.

In addition, when God set up His employee pay scale, His checking account was not overdrawn (Numbers 18:8-13). He demanded that His workers be well cared for. The Lord instructed the people to set aside the "most holy gifts" and "the best of the fresh wine and of the grain" for His ministers. The Israelites were charged with the responsibility of providing for the finances of the Levites, and they were to give of their best.

 

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