Many Gifts, One Spirit!

READ –  “Call forward the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to serve as his assistants.”  — Numbers 3:6 NLT

EXAMINE – The LORD had appointed Aaron and his sons to serve as priests to the nation of Israel (Numbers 3:3) but the sins and death of two of his sons left only Aaron and his sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, to serve as priests (Numbers 3:4). As a result of this leadership shortage, the LORD appointed the entire tribe of Levi to serve as assistants to the priests in performing the sacred duties and maintaining the Tabernacle (Numbers 3:5-10). The LORD gave specific instructions as to their position around the Tabernacle and their duties to the Tabernacle (Numbers 3:14-39). Since God had spared the firstborn of Israel in the tenth plague, the firstborn belonged to the LORD. The LORD accepted the tribe of Levi as a substitute for the firstborns (Numbers 3:40-51).

APPLY –  Too much work to handle alone! The LORD recognized that the responsibilities associated with sacrifices, worship and the Tabernacle were too much for Aaron and his sons; therefore, He appointed the entire tribe of Levi to be their assistants. Oh, how I’ve come to realize in these thirty-two (32) years of pastoring that the work of the Church is still too much for the pastor to handle alone. A leadership shortage still exists in the Church. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ has made every believer part of the royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9) so that all of us can share in the work of ministry. Are you carrying your load and fulfilling your calling? Take this Spiritual Gift Inventory and see how God has wired you for ministry.

PRAY – Father God, thanks for the reminder that each one of us has a job to do in the church. Give us the wisdom to know what that job is and the strength to perform it with grace and excellence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!