Possessing Wealth

TITLE: The Assets of the Priests
DATE: February 28, 2011

SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 25:32
“So the property of the Levites is redeemable… because the houses in the towns of the Levites are their property among the Israelites.”

OBSERVATION: I am always learning something new as I read the Word. This time it is about ownership of possessions. I always thought the Levites had no inheritance of land or property that was personally owned. (Deuteronomy 1:9; 14:29; 18:1,2) But this verse clarifies the issue. It states that they possessed personal property, assets and material ownership, and, if, given up as collateral for debt, would have it reverted to them in the Jubilee. Why the seeming contradiction? Could it be that they didn’t have a defined border of inheritance as each of the 12 tribes possessed but had personal property IN and AMONG the tribes, not separately.

APPLICATION: This insight more completely frees me from the misconception that priests are to be paupers, waiver rights to wealth and property ownership. What is true for church members is true for pastors, but we need to LIVE AMONG the people. How do we do this? By understanding their struggles, addressing their needs and interceding on their behalf. I must never feel apart or beyond the people, but live with a servant heart for them.”

PRAYER: “Make me a better steward of Your blessings & always have Your people’s needs upon my heart.”