“The Levites, however, will not receive any allotment of land. Their role as priests of the LORD is their allotment. And the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh won’t receive any more land, for they have already received their grant of land, which Moses, the servant of the LORD, gave them on the east side of the Jordan River.” [Joshua 18.7]
The poor Levites, right?
Hang on...
He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. [Revelation 1:6]
It is safe to say, the number one mistake Christ followers make today is to think and act like this world is their home. If we really thought we were just passing through this time and space called life, our presence here would look much different - like Jesus.
The Levites' role of tending to kingdom matters without the encumbrances of possessions should be seen as a picture of what Revelation 1.6 says we are in the earth today.
Does this mean then that every Christian should sell everything they have and sing Kumbaya all day long? It might! Jesus encountered a wealthy man (in the world's estimation) and put him to the test:
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [Matthew 19.21]
Now, before making this a requirement for entrance into heaven, we must understand that the context of this passage offers more than what first meets the eye. This man came to Jesus with his question:
Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” [Matthew 19.16]
What followed was a discussion of all the man was doing that, it seems, made him feel qualified for heaven. Frankly, he was indeed a good guy. However, being a "good guy" is not a qualification for entrance to heaven. He apparently thought he was qualified, but Jesus cleared it up for him. What followed was the revelation that the rich man was unfortunately sold out to himself and not to Jesus. As Jesus' ensuing conversation with the disciples revealed, the kingdom isn't about what a man possesses, but rather about what possesses a man.
As the context of the Old Testament reveals, the Levites were well taken care of. God had it all planned out. As Jesus revealed to the disciples, God still has it all worked out:
And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. [Matthew 19.29-30]
So, there is no harm in having great possessions. The problem comes if the possessions have you (or me). Do we dare ask Jesus what we must do...?
Father, help each of us ask You, as we view Jesus as our example and goal, "What must I do?" with complete willingness to do whatever You ask. So be it.
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