What does Numbers 7:6 teach about supporting those serving in ministry? The Scene in Numbers 7:6 “So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites.” Why This Moment Matters • The Levites had just been entrusted with the ongoing care of the tabernacle—God’s dwelling place among His people. • The tribes responded by presenting six carts and twelve oxen (Numbers 7:3). • Moses served as steward, channeling the gifts to those who would bear the daily weight of ministry. A Snapshot of Ministry Support • Practical, not abstract: Carts and oxen met real logistical needs—transporting heavy tabernacle furnishings across the wilderness. • Timely: Provision came before the next leg of Israel’s journey, preventing burnout and delay. • Targeted: Moses gave the resources specifically “to the Levites,” the ones whose calling required them. • God-sanctioned: The distribution happened “as the LORD had commanded,” highlighting that supplying ministry is a divine directive, not a mere human courtesy. Principles We Can Draw • Those who serve God’s people need tangible support to fulfill their task. • Material gifts are spiritual acts of worship when directed toward God’s work. • Leadership should wisely allocate resources where ministry demands are greatest. • Support keeps servants mobile and effective, freeing them to focus on their God-given responsibilities. • Provision for ministry is an act of obedience to the Lord’s explicit instructions. Echoes Across Scripture • Numbers 18:21—Levites given tithes “for the work they do.” • Deuteronomy 18:1–5—Priests share “the offerings made to the LORD by fire.” • 1 Corinthians 9:13-14—“The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” • Galatians 6:6—“The one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” • 1 Timothy 5:17-18—“The laborer is worthy of his wages.” • 2 Kings 4:8-10—The Shunammite woman’s hospitality to Elisha illustrates generous, personal care for God’s servants. Putting It into Practice Today • Budget for ministry—fund salaries, housing, health care, and tools that enable pastors, missionaries, and support staff to serve without distraction. • Offer skills and labor (transportation, maintenance, childcare, technology) to lighten the practical load of those in ministry. • Initiate encouragement—regular notes, meals, and acts of kindness that refresh weary servants. • Give proactively, not reactively; anticipate needs before crises emerge. • View every contribution—large or small—as partnership in the gospel, fueling the advance of God’s kingdom just as surely as carts and oxen kept the tabernacle moving. |
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