| Day 153: Read today's devotional on Bible Gateway. Ministering to Ministers"Remember that the Levitical priests—that is, the whole of the tribe of Levi—will receive no allotment of land among the other tribes in Israel. Instead, the priests and Levites will eat from the special gifts given to the Lord, for that is their share. They will have no land of their own among the Israelites. The Lord himself is their special possession, just as he promised them. "These are the parts the priests may claim as their share from the cattle, sheep, and goats that the people bring as offerings: the shoulder, the cheeks, and the stomach. You must also give to the priests the first share of the grain, the new wine, the olive oil, and the wool at shearing time. For the Lord your God chose the tribe of Levi out of all your tribes to minister in the Lord's name forever. "Suppose a Levite chooses to move from his town in Israel, wherever he is living, to the place the Lord chooses for worship. He may minister there in the name of the Lord his God, just like all his fellow Levites who are serving the Lord there. He may eat his share of the sacrifices and offerings, even if he also receives support from his family."
(Deuteronomy 18:1-8) ReflectThe priests and Levites served in similar ways as our ministers do today. Their responsibilities included (1) teaching the people about God's ways, (2) setting an example of godly living, (3) caring for the sanctuary and its workers, and (4) distributing the offerings. Because priests and Levites could not own property or pursue outside business interests, God made special arrangements so that the priests and Levites would have what they needed. It is important that we honor and provide for the men and women God has brought to lead us. That might mean respecting the boundaries between their professional and personal lives. Or it might mean offering them help in some area that you are especially skilled in—food, finances, or home repairs, for example. Or it could simply be asking about their family, their worries, or their interests outside church. RespondAs you look at your own leaders in light of God's Word, how could you honor those God has given you? | 
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