My college days were fun, difficult, arguably very busy, but stressful. Between school, financing my own educational costs by working construction throughout the year, volunteering in Christian fellowship and church, and setting the pace for a life of marriage with my new bride, I can remember many times when I wanted to separate myself from it all. There were moments I just needed a break. In all of it, however, I was used to giving it my all, doing my best, and trying to make the best impression. I won’t lie that there were times I just wanted to get by, but for some reason I didn’t feel that’s what He wanted me to do.
It was in those years that I also could say my walk with God was the closest. I had great fellowship, accountability, but the stressors of life were relieved beyond belief through prayer and devotion. Even though we had no money, the little we had we wanted to give our best back to him and I know it was a result of that closeness. But is giving only about money?
I'm reminded of when we returned back to Michigan after a year in Missouri and encountering an inviable job market with a new family - our firstborn has just arrived - I was able to hook up with a former employer in Mt. Pleasant. Even though I wasn’t the most skilled, he could trust me and I guess that was more important to him than risking a skilled employee not showing up. I’d get up at 4am and drive an hour and a half every day to the job site. Some days he’d have me go with some of the crew over to Midland or Saginaw (another 30-45 minutes away) before the time clock ever started. If I was lucky, though, I’d be given the opportunity to work on the premium job site; it paid twice my current hourly wage.
Our job was rather simple on this site: We were responsible for “cutting-in” the bathroom drywall of three new five-story dormitories on Central Michigan’s campus. Sounds easy. Well, not really. Each of us needed to cut-in three bathrooms a day in order to meet my contractor’s quote. The first day I barely finished two rooms. The next day still two, and the next maybe two and a half. My contractor encouraged me to make the three-room requirement or I’d have to work on another site. Of the several contractors I’ve worked for, he was the most fair, reasonable, and caring of his employees. But it was mostly the calling I felt God telling me to give my best.
By the end of the week, I met my three-room requirement. Excited as I was, that still wasn’t enough for me. I knew I hadn’t achieved my best. In the next week, I was able to cut-in four rooms, and then amazingly five. One week, since the supplies were easy to grab, I cut-in six. When my boss found out, he was overjoyed and thankful. However, my best caused problems with others. You see, as I was cutting-in more rooms that minimally required, I was taking a potential premium work day away from one of the guys as I finished my fifth or sixth room. There are a limited number of bathrooms and when they’re done, they’re done.
I’d love to tell you more of the story - there is more - but I suppose I’ll save it for another day. How does this story apply to an Old Testament passage about priesthood rules? Yeah, kind of a stretch huh? As I read Numbers 18, the words can be easily overlooked. In fact, don’t be surprised if you want to skim more than read. The Levites, the tribe of Judah called for priesthood, were solely responsible to caring for the Tent of Meeting, the holy place where God would dwell among the people. Despite how dry the text might seem on the outside, it is rich with God’s heart, calling a select people to serve. You may not be called to that kind of service however. That’s okay, because much of it also deals with those being served, the rest of the Israelites. It is here where I find myself.
He has called me to give my very best offering, but not just on Sunday at church; He calls me to do it every day. He has given me talents, skills, and continues to improve my ability to work my hands. This all I need to give my very best to Him. Despite those hard working days, they were most enjoyable because I felt my work was glorifying Him. And take heart when others don't like it when you give your best. It wouldn't be the first time it has ever happened (Cain v. Abel).
20 The LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.
21 “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.22 From now on the Israelites must not go near the tent of meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. 23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the tent of meeting and bear the responsibility for any offenses they commit against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites. 24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’”
25 The LORD said to Moses, 26 “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD’s offering. 27 Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28 In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD’s portion to Aaron the priest. 29 You must present as the LORD’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’
30 “Say to the Levites: ‘When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. 31 You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the tent of meeting. 32 By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.’”
Numbers 18:20-32
25 days!
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