Today's reading focuses on responsibilities in "God's Kingdom" on earth. The Levites were chosen to do certain things, and that became the lot in life for all descendants of Levi. Certain families were selected as singers, and gatekeepers, and other functions. Whatever family you belonged to, you KNEW what your job was going to be, as well as what your sons' jobs were going to be (as far as jobs for God, that is). I am not sure if people had OTHER jobs for income or not, but I would assume most would, except maybe the Levites who were paid from the 'church treasury', and possibly the gatekeepers as well. Maybe even the singers, as their jobs were daily, not just once a week.
How would you like YOUR job dictated for you even before you were born. Let's say your forefathers were shipbuilders; then YOU'D be a ship builder, too. Of course the ships you would be working on probably wouldn't have masts and sails. Or, perhaps your ancestors were well diggers...that is what you'd be expected to do today...digging holes in the ground to find water. Not much diversification. Not much initiative to try something new. Not much freedom.
Today, the churches usually 'select' singers, evangelists, counselors, etc, based upon their God-given talents. Unlike the Levites or singers or gatekeepers, people today have a choice on how to serve God. If a good singer does not want to sing in 'the choir', that singer does not need to. Good hosts don't HAVE to be greeters in the church. Of course, it would be nice if we all used our talents FOR God (good singers sing, good hosts greet, good speakers speak, etc), but if we don't want to, we don't have to. God gave us free will, and He also gave us the freeedom to choose how we serve Him. How are you doing in your service to God? Are you using your talents for Him? If not, maybe God might just change the rules once more, and outline what HE wants us to be doing. And I don't think we, as Americans, would take that very lightly. So, whether it be singing, greeting, serving, evangelizing, speaking or whatever, I also simply fall back on that famous Nike slogan....Just Do It. OR, as I also like to quote Francis Coburn (comedian and University of Vermont professor), "It is bettAH, to have done it backwards, than nevAH to have done it atALL".
April 28, 2011 1:14 PMsigarety wrote:
Informative, but not convincing. Something is missing, but what I do not understand. But, frankly: - Bright and benevolent thoughts. Reply to this
Family missions.
Today's reading focuses on responsibilities in "God's Kingdom" on earth. The Levites were chosen to do certain things, and that became the lot in life for all descendants of Levi. Certain families were selected as singers, and gatekeepers, and other functions. Whatever family you belonged to, you KNEW what your job was going to be, as well as what your sons' jobs were going to be (as far as jobs for God, that is). I am not sure if people had OTHER jobs for income or not, but I would assume most would, except maybe the Levites who were paid from the 'church treasury', and possibly the gatekeepers as well. Maybe even the singers, as their jobs were daily, not just once a week.
How would you like YOUR job dictated for you even before you were born. Let's say your forefathers were shipbuilders; then YOU'D be a ship builder, too. Of course the ships you would be working on probably wouldn't have masts and sails. Or, perhaps your ancestors were well diggers...that is what you'd be expected to do today...digging holes in the ground to find water. Not much diversification. Not much initiative to try something new. Not much freedom.
Today, the churches usually 'select' singers, evangelists, counselors, etc, based upon their God-given talents. Unlike the Levites or singers or gatekeepers, people today have a choice on how to serve God. If a good singer does not want to sing in 'the choir', that singer does not need to. Good hosts don't HAVE to be greeters in the church. Of course, it would be nice if we all used our talents FOR God (good singers sing, good hosts greet, good speakers speak, etc), but if we don't want to, we don't have to. God gave us free will, and He also gave us the freeedom to choose how we serve Him.
How are you doing in your service to God? Are you using your talents for Him? If not, maybe God might just change the rules once more, and outline what HE wants us to be doing. And I don't think we, as Americans, would take that very lightly. So, whether it be singing, greeting, serving, evangelizing, speaking or whatever, I also simply fall back on that famous Nike slogan....Just Do It. OR, as I also like to quote Francis Coburn (comedian and University of Vermont professor), "It is bettAH, to have done it backwards, than nevAH to have done it atALL".
God is Great.
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Sent the first post, but he never published. I write the second. It's me, the African tourist.
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Informative, but not convincing. Something is missing, but what I do not understand. But, frankly: - Bright and benevolent thoughts.
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All the fun is written
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As usual, the webmaster posted correctly!
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Yet, much remains unclear.
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Put your head down and work as hard as you can because there is always someone better out there.
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Great human spasbo!
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