HOLY GIFTS
Today's reading: Numbers 17-20

"...But be careful not to treat the holy gifts of the people of Israel as though they were common. If you do, you will die." Numbers 18:32 NLT

God was giving Moses instruction on how to rightly accept the gifts brought to the Tabernacle by the Israelite people.

Gifts from the flock, gifts from the field, gifts from their wallets, were all given in the building up, maintaining and worship done in the house of the Lord.

God specifically told Moses to treat each and every gift, from the largest to the smallest, as holy--never as just a common, every day, run of the mill, offering. Doing so would result in death.

Fast forward to today...

What if...now this is just a 'what if' I'm proposing--the reason so many churches are dying, so many houses of worship are closing up shop, so many are falling away from the church--is because we are treating our gifts (abilities, talents, purposes) as common?

Are we wasting away spiritually because we don't see our aptitude in being warm and friendly as something God can use in His church?

Are we frittering away dollar after dollar to accumulate material possessions, when the work of the Lord is needing a donation?

Are we using up our words through the week in useless banter, when we could be speaking to people about Jesus?

Are we singing to the world's audience in order to gain applause, or are we making joyful sounds to the Lord and helping lead His people into worship?

Are we investing hours of our day making sure our kids can kick a ball, tumble on a gymnastics mat or score highest on an upcoming test, but don't make sure they spend time getting to know Jesus?

What you can do, the abilities God has given to you, are to be used to magnify God. You have been given holy capabilities. You have been ordained as priests in His temple to do what only you can do.

That is important. That is vital to the growth and continuance of the Church. That is eternal work in regards to your spiritual life.

Do not treat your gifts as uncommon.