YOUR SACRED PORTION

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the Lord your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them. I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the Lord my God; I have done everything you commanded me. Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our forefathers, a land flowing with milk and honey."
Deuteronomy 26:12-15

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Sacred…dedicated or set apart for the service of a deity.

As Deuteronomy, Chapter 26 continues on the subject of firstfruits and tithing, we see where Israel was required to set aside “a tenth of all…produce in the third year”…a year known as “the year of the tithe”. This tenth was to be given to the “Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they (could) eat…and be satisfied. Remember that we have seen prior how God expected the underprivileged in society to be cared for. Note as well that in our passage there is a special name for the tenth of produce set aside. It was called the “sacred portion”.

Why was this portion called sacred? Consider the following:

1. It was sacred because it came first from God.

Israel’s God…our God…was the God of all creation. Everything that Israel had belonged to God because He made everything. And it was because of this that everything was divine in nature…or sacred. Israel was expected to provide a part of what God provided to the less fortunate…a sacred portion of His goodness and providence.

2. It was sacred because Israel set it apart for God’s service.

God commanded Israel to set aside a tenth of the produce for those in need but Israel still needed to make the choice to obey what God commanded. Their obedience toward fulfilling God’s expectations resulted in the portion given being sacred as it was provided in service to Him.

Question: What sacred portion do you set aside for those who are in need…the underprivileged that God expects us to care for? How well do you seek to use what God has blessed you with toward His service?

Whether it’s money, goods, talent or time, we only have because God gave. Where would we be without God giving each of us His sacred portion of what He created? Let us think about that as we consider how we might be able to give a portion back to God through loving and caring for others. Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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