The Levites had a very special inheritance from God:

Deu 18:2  Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. 

In Deuteronomy 18:1–2, we read that the Levites had a very special inheritance from God: “The LORD is their inheritance.” But, what does it mean when Moses told the children of Israel regarding the tribe of Levi that the LORD was their inheritance?

What is an inheritance? It is something one acquires - wealth, property, or a title - handed down after a person dies. In the Old Testament context between God and Israel, nobody died. The children of Israel inherited a land from God. The Land of Canaan didn’t belong to them; the Canaanites had been living there for centuries. But God drove out the Canaanite and gave the land to Israel. Israel inherited the land from God; each tribe was given a portion of the land to call their homes.

Well, not quite all the tribes had a piece of the land. The tribe of Levi did not inherit any land. God said He was the Levites’ inheritance. What does it mean?

The Levites’ inheritance was God Himself in the sense that they were the ones set apart by God to minister to the worship of the entire nation of Israel. They were to devote their entire lives to serve God. The Levites were responsible for the tabernacle daily sacrifices and offerings of the people. It was no small task. It means they were daily busy in the worship of God. It means they had no time to plough the land and raised cattle and other livestock. Then, how were they to support themselves and their families?

The very wise God made provisions for them. He made sure His priests were well provided for. He designated certain portions of the incoming sacrifices to be given to their family members. In addition, the priests got to keep all of the tithes that the people were required to give to Jehovah God. Hence, the priests received a tenth of all the people’s harvests, produce, and animals. It was God’s way to ensure that His priests and their families were very well provided for, and this was God’s generous way of rewarding them for all the work they did for Him (read verse 3-8). It allowed the Levites to focus on their singular call to serve the One True God and His people and not get entangled with the worries of the world.

The Levites lived by faith in God’s promised blessing to be their share and their portion. It is a lesson for Christians in the New Testament. God has commanded Christians to support those who preach the gospel: “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14, ESV).

Congregations who do not have full time preachers have members who are ignorant of the word of God and a dwindling membership. They lack behind in evangelism and edification and as a result, few conversions and members who are lacking in faith. All because they have preachers who are part time in the ministry but full time in their secular activities. They can preach and teach a lesson or two but they can’t minister o the needs of the saints.

God wanted the Levites to focus on their singular call to serve Him and not worry about their daily necessities. When Christ says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”, He expects those who are working in this world to take care of those who work in the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14). God is not going to miraculously put food and money to pay the mortgages and expenses on the preacher’s table each morning; He expects the congregations to ensure the needs of their preachers and their families are taken care of.

Let us thank God for those who feed us spiritual food. Let us in return, feed them with carnal food: “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” (1Corinthians 9:11).

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.