“The Priesthood: a Gift for Service”

Numbers 18 What is our responsibility as NT believers? Peter tells us:  “you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” [1Pe 2:5] It is because of the gift and sacrifice of Jesus that we are given this unique role. But, it was not so in the OT. Only here in Number 18:7 and Lev 10:8 does God speak directly to Aaron. He alone was given the gift of the priesthood, but the gift was the same as for us: “I give you the priesthood as a gift for service.” [Num 18:7]

Our service is to start here: “to present our bodies as a sacrifice, alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is our reasonable service.” [Rom 12:1] Beyond that, our service gifts are to attend to the body of Christ in whatever ways Christ places before us. We are to meet the needs of the congregation. Paul told the Corinthians that: their “abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there be equality.” [2Cor 8:14]  So service goes both ways.

Today who in your congregation has a need? Step up and meet it according to your abundance.