David Jeremiah Daily Devotional January 13 2022
And we made ordinances to bring the firstfruits . . . to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities.
Nehemiah 10:35, 37
Recommended Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
Churches define membership differently. Some have no membership standards at all; attendees who are committed over time simply rise to the level of leadership and responsibility. Other churches have formal membership protocols: interviews and assessments of a potential member’s commitment to being an active and accountable member. However, when churches define formal (or informal) membership, one thing is true of all: Members are expected to participate and support “the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). This involves financial support and the investment of spiritual gifts in the building up of the Church.
Something similar happened when the Levites led the community of returned Jews to commit themselves to walking anew in covenant with God. They signed a document that outlined their responsibilities to support the household of God in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 10:30-39).
Commitment and accountability have various prices, but they are never free. Followers of Jesus are advised to count the costs of being His disciple (Luke 14:28-33).
Scars are the price which every believer pays for his loyalty to Christ.
William Hendriksen
Credit: David Jeremiah turning point ministry davidjeremiah.org
