“Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD” (Leviticus 27:28).
TEXT — Leviticus 27:26-34
Message
At a slave market in the latter half of the 19th Century, an influential man redeemed a woman from her owner. He asked the lady to go wherever she pleased in her new status as a liberated person. She declined, saying she would follow her new benefactor home to become his servant as a way of appreciating his kindness. She said she now belonged to him and would perform any task he might assign to her.
This unique choice of the woman is analogous and comparable to the expected devotion, affection, and loyalty Israel should have towards God, who saved her from slavery in Egypt. As they enjoyed their emancipation, Jacob’s descendants were equally demanded to freely serve their Liberator, obey His commandments, and voluntarily dedicate their household, property, time, and skills to the One who rescued them from reproach. Such response to divine love must be unblemished, as “every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.”
Israel was an agricultural nation; therefore, they were instructed to give a tenth (tithe) of their produce as part of their devotion. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.” Taking a cue from the foregoing, we should not do less. We owe all to Jesus. Our salvation, sanctification, Spirit baptism, power for victorious Christian living, healing and health, authority over the devil and his cohorts, peace and joy of the Lord, and the hope of eternal life must compel us to give not just a tenth but all unto Him in appreciation.
When He died for us, and we accepted His redemption plan, it was only the beginning of a lifetime association characterised by constant giving to Him of all our substance willingly. Yielding all to the Lord brings us into partnership with Him, and all who serve Him will be honoured by the Father. Lasting joy has eluded the men and women of the world because they have misplaced their priorities in their quest for prosperity. They ignore the scriptural principles that highlight the fact that true blessings and joy come from adhering to the laws of the Author of life. He blesses cheerful and selfless givers who care for the needy and the expansion of His Kingdom.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
O Lord, please help me to cultivate the habit of giving willingly and sacrificially, in support of the needy and for the Kingdom of God in Jesus name, Amen.
I love the world of God
Loved this effort to provide us with thisspiritual food. Keep the fire burning.
O Lord, please help me to cultivate the habit of giving willingly and sacrificially, in support of the needy and for the Kingdom of God in Jesus name, Amen.