Leviticus 27 REAL WORTH The commands the Lord gave to Moses when he was on Mt. Sinai were not just casual suggestions. The importance of God's things has slipped away from many as they consider their worth in light of this age of technology. The actual value of life and a person's capacity and ability is not determined by changing social standards. A human life is still worth more than what we can produce during the years one lives. That measure has to do with our capacity in terms of our existence in time. Real worth had to do with the essence of our existence. Our lifestyle can give our life real worth or it can make our experience of living of little value. As the book of Leviticus closes on the teaching regarding the worship of God, we are reminded again that God takes account of every matter in which we are involved. We are thankful to not be under the yoke of the law, but that does not mean we are not responsible to honor God with all we are and have. Our time, our intellect, our goods and the services we are capable of rendering should be offered to the with a higher motive than "dos and don'ts."
The children of Israel were under obligations with serious consequences if they made vows or committed themselves to giving tithes and did not fulfill them. Things that were sanctified could be brought back and a 20% interest would be paid on the worth the priest designated. When something given was devoted to God, it was not able to be brought back or recovered in any way. It is irrevocably God's. We have the privilege of giving to God with a true heart and full assurance of faith and it can become worship in spirit and in truth. The offering given by a young believer is accepted by God on the same basis as that given by a mature believer. Both are "in Christ" and both are "accepted in the Beloved." There is a difference in the capacity because of ability that has been developed by the by the passing of years and experiences with God. Both have great value and both give with the spirit of love and appreciation for God's grace.
To labor to be accepted is a worthy effort. To be willing to rely on the grace of God to produce for us what we can give to God is of greater worth. The firstborn, the first-fruits, tithes all belong to God when the children of Israel were under the dictates of the law. Out of a sense of appreciation and love, they could go beyond their obligations to please God. They were not to make rash vows they could not keep. When a vow was made, they needed to carefully think it through first. The same holds true if we have unexpected expenses come upon us, we are still obligated to keep the vows we make. Time volunteered to assist others or to use for the work of the Lord; possessions we have promised to donate to make a project possible - these are like vows we should keep and do what we said we would do. Some things were not acceptable then and are not acceptable now.
Behind all these things there was an attitude on the part of the giver that was important. Whatever they gave and whatever we give is to be willingly. "God loves a cheerful giver." To give what we can to the Lord is one of the ways we express our real gratitude to Him for His blessings to us. To give to the Lord our cast-offs, the last of the strength we have, or things for which we have no further use is not right. In the book of Leviticus, we learn much about what God is like. He is truly just. His expectations are consistent with our abilities. His commands make good sense for a nation to apply to its citizens to live honorable lives. The principles of life and conduct are such as to provide the best possible way of life for His people. God is the same today as He was back guiding Israel through the wilderness to the promised land. His grace is sufficient for us. When we are weak, we can rest on His strength. Though we are not bound by the shadows of the law, we can give our love, obedience, intellect and our joy to Him and know He accepts our worship for He is our Father. The blessings we have in Christ come as evidence of His care, interest and grace.