Leviticus 7:7-15: a reflection

7“‘As is the sin offering, so is the trespass offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with them shall have it. 8The priest who offers any man’s burnt offering shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering which he has offered. 9Every meal offering that is baked in the oven, and all that is prepared in the pan and on the griddle, shall be the priest’s who offers it. 10Every meal offering, mixed with oil or dry, belongs to all the sons of Aaron, one as well as another. 11“‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to the LORD: 12If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil. 13He shall offer his offering with the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving with cakes of leavened bread. 14Of it he shall offer one out of each offering for a heave offering to the LORD. It shall be the priest’s who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings. 15The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning.

Amid the laws of the offerings, this passage provides for the priests who carried out the sacrifices: certain portions of the offerings, the skin of the burnt offering, portions of the grain offerings, a share of the peace offerings, were to belong to the priests who ministered. Those who served at the altar were provided for through the offerings of the people; their livelihood came from their service to God.

Notice the provision made for those who served God fully. The priests had no ordinary means of livelihood; they were devoted to the service of the altar. And so God provided for them through the offerings, so that those who gave themselves to his service would be sustained. It was right and good that those who served at the altar should share in what was offered there; their devotion to God's work was to be supported by God's people.

That principle carries forward. The New Testament applies it directly: those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel, and those who are taught should share good things with the one who teaches. It is right to provide for and support those who give themselves to God's service, who labor spiritually on our behalf, our teachers, ministers, and those devoted to God's work. Do not take for granted those who serve you spiritually, or leave them unsupported. Honor and provide for those who labor in God's work, as the priests were provided for through the offerings; for it is right that those who serve at the altar should share in the offerings, and that those who serve God's people should be sustained by them.

Lord, amid the laws of the offerings, you provided for the priests who ministered at the altar, so that those who gave themselves fully to your service would be sustained through the offerings of the people. Thank you that this principle carries forward, for your word says that those who preach the gospel should live by it, and that those who are taught should share good things with the one who teaches. It is right to provide for and support those who give themselves to your service, who labor spiritually on my behalf, my teachers, ministers, and those devoted to your work. Keep me from taking for granted those who serve me spiritually, or leaving them unsupported. Help me honor and provide for those who labor in your work, as the priests were provided for through the offerings; for it is right that those who serve at the altar should share in what is offered there. Make me generous and grateful toward those who serve you and your people.