The eighth commandment

Deuteronomy 12.19

“‘Take care that you do not neglect the Levite as long as you live in your land.’”

Deuteronomy 14.27

“‘And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.’”

1 Corinthians 9.3-14

The Levites, including priests, were busy with the work of the Lord all day long and had but little time to care for their own physical needs. These were the responsibility of the people, who were served in their own walk with the Lord by the ministries of the Levites.

Part of each sacrifice went to the Levites, as did part of the system of tithes. The people were not to begrudge caring for their pastors, but should see this duty as an offering to the Lord – as, indeed, payment to the Levites often was.

Paul applied these statutes to his own support as a minister of the Gospel. Again we can see the ongoing relevance of the Law of God for order and justice among the people of God today.

This series of In the Gates we present a detailed explanation of the Law of God, beginning with the Ten Commandments, and working through the statutes and rules that accompany each commandment. For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the practice of ethics, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.