Today’s devotion comes from Numbers 18:21-32. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2018&version=NASB1995
I only quote the following verses.
“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, the service of the tent of meeting. …
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Moreover, you shall speak to the Levites and say to them, ‘When you take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe. Your offering shall be reckoned to you as the grain from the threshing floor or the full produce from the wine vat. So you shall also present an offering to the LORD from your tithes, which you receive from the sons of Israel; and from it you shall give the LORD’S offering to Aaron the priest. Out of all your gifts you shall present every offering due to the LORD, from all the best of them, the sacred part from them.’ You shall say to them, ‘When you have offered from it the best of it, then the rest shall be reckoned to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor, and as the product of the wine vat. You may eat it anywhere, you and your households, for it is your compensation in return for your service in the tent of meeting. You will bear no sin by reason of it when you have offered the best of it. But you shall not profane the sacred gifts of the sons of Israel, or you will die.’” Numbers 18:21 and 25-32.
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God has given us gifts of time, talents, and treasures. We may be so preoccupied on giving God the proper amount, a tithe a/k/a a tenth or other amount, that we do not consider whether it is for only a good cause or whether it is for the best cause. Today’s Scripture reminds us not only to give the best from the gifts that we receive but to also give to the best cause.
Here are some examples to consider.
We may be doing some Christian service that is good. But, God leads us to do other Christian service that is better. We may need to quit the good Christian service in order to have time and focus to do the best Christian service.
Today, unlike the Levites of that day, we do not have the practical problem of deciding what animals or produce is better to give as a tithe, because we deal with money. But, there are all kinds of different Christian organizations that strongly solicit our time, our talents, and our treasures.
We need to decide the best Christian churches and other best Christian organizations to which to give our time, talents, and treasures.
There are many churches or Christian organizations which do not preach, teach, nor otherwise support Reformed doctrine. Are we going to give to them and thereby reduce the amount of our time, our talents, and our treasures that we give the best churches and Christian organizations that do preach, teach, and otherwise support Reformed doctrine?
And, some of them may be worse than only good; some may be bad. “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” Matthew 24:11.
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” 2 Corinthians 11:12-15.
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20.
“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:14.
But, there is hope!
“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 