Gifting and Regifting

“I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary.” [1]

God appointed the tribe of Levi as His gift to do the work of the meeting place. Praise God for those who serve the Lord so that places of worship and discipleship remain open and operational! Praise God for those who speak the message of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross for unworthy sinners! They help to keep the communication lines open between God and people all over this planet! Praise the Lord! And since sin yields curses and plagues, they help to stave off illnesses by keeping people walking in fellowship with the Lord. Such people are indeed gifts from the Lord, but they may not perceive themselves that way. They may only remember that one task they left undone. They may only remember the comment of that one unhappy person.

At the end of their lives, the Lord’s faithful servants asked Him, “When did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and invite You in, or needing clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and go to visit You?” The King replied, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.” [2]

So, I want to praise the Lord for such servants! May the Lord bless, keep and make His face to shine upon them.

What about in New Testament times? Are God’s servants still His gifts to people? Yes, they are.

Paul wrote, “Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” [3] Such servants are God’s gifts to help us to connect with Christ and to help us to grow into the beautiful likeness of Christ.

A gift is usually something special. Wrapped nicely! Given out of love for someone! Christ gives us His servants because He loves us.

Consider what it is like to be a gift of God to people! On the one hand, someone whom God gave out of His love for them. On the other hand, someone whom may not receive anything in return for his or her service. Gifts are free! Jesus said, “Love… hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great...” Paul expressed feeling as a spectacle to the whole universe, but nevertheless continued to let God gift and regift him over and over again to others. [4]

“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” [5]

[1] Numbers 8:19
[2] Matthew 25:37-40
[3] Ephesians 4:11-13
[4] Luke 6:35; 1 Corinthians 4:9
[5] 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17