Honoring the Servants

OT: Nehemiah 11-12
NT: 1 Timothy 5:17-20

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Nehemiah 12:44-47 — At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites. They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the singers and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David and his son Solomon. For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.

The Lord has always taken a liking to the servants of His. In the Law of Moses, rest was prescribed for the servants and a fairness given to their value. Under the New Covenant, the servants are those in the Church who humble themselves before the Lord and offer the work of their hands as ministry to their brothers and sisters. However, servants are often overlooked by people inside and outside of the Church. They don't complain (usually) and they don't cry out for attention. They just do their work of ministry as if they were serving the Lord (which they are).

Nehemiah made sure that the servants of the Lord that worked in and around the Temple were cared for. The Law provided for the priests and Levites and their families by giving to them a portion of the offerings of the people. In the days of Zerubbabel (a son of David) and Governor Nehemiah, even the singers and gatekeepers were beloved by the people are cared for with regular donations. And this is important even today in the Church when we consider our servants and our leaders (who should be by nature servants). If they are doing well, give them honor and thanksgiving. If they are not, exhort and encourage them to serve with a greater zeal. Look after their needs and those needs that may lie beneath the surface. Care for their families. And love on them.

Be God's.


Be God's.