How can we apply the principle of devotion in Leviticus 27:28 today? What Leviticus 27:28 Says “But nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD out of all he owns—whether a person, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.” (Leviticus 27:28) The Principle Behind the Command • “Sets apart” translates the Hebrew cherem—total dedication beyond recall. • The devoted item becomes “most holy,” transferred from common use to exclusive divine ownership (cf. Joshua 6:17-19; Deuteronomy 13:17). • No bargain, buy-back, or partial usage is permitted; God’s claim is absolute. New-Covenant Echoes • Romans 12:1—“present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20—our bodies are temples purchased at a price. • 2 Corinthians 8:5—the Macedonians “first gave themselves to the Lord.” • Acts 4:32—believers held possessions loosely because they ultimately belonged to the Lord. Why the Principle Still Matters • God’s holiness has not diminished; what is His remains His (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). • Devotion safeguards us from idolatry—when something is already God’s, it cannot become our god. • Wholehearted surrender cultivates trust; we rely on the Giver, not the gift (Matthew 6:33). • Devotion witnesses to the world that Jesus is worth everything (Luke 14:33). Practical Ways to Apply Devotion Today 1. Dedicate the first portion of income, not the leftovers (Proverbs 3:9). 2. Set apart daily, undistracted time for Scripture and prayer—non-negotiable, not for sale to busyness. 3. Consecrate your body: purity, health, and sexual integrity acknowledge God’s ownership (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). 4. Treat your home, car, and digital platforms as the Lord’s property—available for hospitality, service, and edification. 5. Hold career plans with open hands, ready to change course if God redirects (James 4:15). 6. Mark special objects or funds as “for ministry use only,” and honor that boundary. 7. Teach children early: toys lent to friends, allowances tithed, talents offered at church—instilling lifelong habits of surrender. Guarding What Has Been Devoted • Resist the subtle pull to reclaim gifts once offered—“everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.” • Stay accountable: share commitments with mature believers who will lovingly remind you if you drift. • When tempted to repurpose devoted resources, recall Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11); half-hearted devotion invites discipline. Living in the Freedom of Full Surrender • Devotion is not loss but liberty—“if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). • God multiplies what we release; the widow’s jar of oil, the boy’s five loaves, and our surrendered lives become channels of blessing. • Joy grows where ownership ends and stewardship begins (Philippians 4:11-13). |
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