S)"30 The first of all the first fruits of every kind and every contribution of every kind, from all your contributions, shall be for the priests; you shall also give to the priest the first of your dough to cause a blessing to rest on your house."
Ezekiel 44:30 (NASB)
O) Just previous to this verse, God explains that the priests are not to have any possessions or inheretance outside of Him. God wanted their complete and undivided attention. It's incredibly difficult to forsake God, when you literally have no other means outside of Him. God's not trying to make endentured servants out of His priests, though; God is trying to show them that He is the only blessing they'll ever need. On the flip side, the command to everyone else is to take care of their priests! It's easy to think, "Oh, well, God will take care of him." But it's important to remember that a large part of how God takes care of His priests is to provide for them through His other people. The follow-up to this, is that God also offers us a reward, a promise, for blessing them; God will bless the giver as well.
A) I have had (and taken) the oppotunity to bless some pastors directly. In both tangible and timely ways. While I'm sure there was a longer-term "investment" in my contribution to them, I really just felt crazy-blessed in the moment itself. I really have been feeling a pull on my heart to bless my pastors directly, lately. I don't want to neglect my regular tithing, but I want to really investigate and pray about this idea of blessing my pastor more directly with offerings. I know that my pastor and his family give up a lot, A LOT, for the sake of our church body and church building. They also put their trust in God, and not in man, but I'd still like to help them. It would take other sacrifices in my life, but even as I type this out, I feel like God is nudging me toward this. I will pray about this, not just so that I will be blessed for my contribution, but even more, so that my pastors, whom I appreciate SO MUCH for their years and years of service, can also be blessed for their contributions.
P) Father, give me strength, courage, and wisdom to know how to execute these extra blessings, God. I know that my money, even after tithing, is still not truly "my money" and I never want it to begin feeling that way. So, I don't want to think of this so much as additional sacrifice to You, God, but more like obedience, as a steward of what You've given me. Holy Spirit, convict me if or when I get materialistic. I will humble myself quickly, so that I may respond to Your direction sooner than later. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
P) Father, give me strength, courage, and wisdom to know how to execute these extra blessings, God. I know that my money, even after tithing, is still not truly "my money" and I never want it to begin feeling that way. So, I don't want to think of this so much as additional sacrifice to You, God, but more like obedience, as a steward of what You've given me. Holy Spirit, convict me if or when I get materialistic. I will humble myself quickly, so that I may respond to Your direction sooner than later. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
It pains me that there are no comments here and it has been 12 since you posted this. I come in agreement with your prayer for HIS MIGHT because of your recognition of the The Holy Spirit’s councel and conviction to bless your pastors. It is true that because of the covenant of Yeshua’s Blood, His death on the cross and resurrection (for those who believe and choose to walk in covenant relationship with HIM) our salvation is no longer dependent on obedience to the laws of first fruits (or any Old Testament laws) BUT THOSE SAME LAWS STILL HOLD THEIR BLESSINGS for those who choose to follow the instruction when The Holy Spirit points it out to you. I pray you and your house have been and will be greatly blessed from your obedience. May you be encouraged. Here is a great workbook/ study on “Understanding Biblical Principles of Finance ‘ Released Blessings Through TITHES AND OFFERINGS’” by Curt Landry Ministries .
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