How can we apply the principle of community support from Joshua 21:7 today? Verse Highlight “ The descendants of Merari by their families received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.” (Joshua 21:7) Why the Levites Needed Help - God assigned the Levites to full-time service in the sanctuary (Numbers 18:6). - Unlike the other tribes, they received no large territorial inheritance (Numbers 18:20). - The rest of Israel was commanded to give them cities and pasturelands so they could live and serve among the people (Joshua 21:1-8). - This arrangement made everyday life itself an act of worship: caring for God’s servants was inseparable from honoring God. What This Teaches about Community Support - Provision for ministry is a shared responsibility, not an individual option. - Generosity protects spiritual priorities; when the Levites’ needs were met, worship and teaching flourished for everyone (Deuteronomy 33:10). - Community support is proactive: the tribes didn’t wait for Levites to beg; they allotted the cities in advance. - Support is practical and measurable—twelve cities, specific pasturelands—showing that real love takes concrete form (1 John 3:18). New Testament Confirmation - “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14) - Early believers “were one heart and one soul… there was no needy person among them.” (Acts 4:32-34) - “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13) - “Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16) Practical Ways to Live It Out - Regularly, joyfully fund local church ministry—salaries, missionaries, benevolence funds. - Adopt a mindset of stewardship: everything we own belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24:1); we simply redistribute as He directs. - Offer tangible help to those who labor in teaching and shepherding: meals, childcare, tools, transportation. - Create “cities” of refuge in modern terms—homes that welcome foster children, single parents, widows, international students. - Engage in skill-based service: accountants keeping church books, mechanics maintaining vehicles, teachers tutoring. - Give consistently, not just in crises; scheduled generosity mirrors Israel’s set allocations. - Build networks of churches partnering to support rural or inner-city congregations lacking resources. - Encourage transparency and accountability so gifts are stewarded wisely, promoting trust and further generosity. - Model sacrificial giving to the next generation; include children in decisions about offerings and service projects. A Picture of the Gospel Israel’s twelve donated cities foreshadow the greater gift God gave in His Son (John 3:16). Christ offered Himself so we could become “a kingdom and priests to our God” (Revelation 5:10). By supporting one another today, we mirror that sacrificial love, proving that life in Christ is not a private possession but a shared inheritance. |
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