Today I read Nehemiah 10, listing those signing the covenant and explaining how everyone was to give to God. Today I considered that people do give to God but the division among all the people serving God is not something I have seen in church.
Signed Covenant and Tithes/Offerings Agreed
The children of Israel listed who sealed the covenant, how they would give to God, and how to divide the offering and tithes among those ministering (Nehemiah 10:1-39). The individuals that sealed the covenant included leaders, priests, and Levites. The people agreed to serve God and follow the law. They would not marry with those not following the law. They agreed on an amount of money everyone was to give to the house of the Lord along with giving first fruits, firstborn of cattle and sons, and even the first fruits of their dough. The Levites and priests would get a tithe of the first fruits of the ground. The Levites would give 10 percent of what they received to the house of God. The Levites will give part of the offering to the priests, porters, and singers.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
I visited many churches in my life. Majority of the ones I attended had volunteer unpaid positions that needed to be filled including singers and porters/gatekeepers/security. Some had paid positions as teachers, secretaries, and other church staff. According to the book of Nehemiah and other places in the Bible singers and security for the house of God should be paid for their work. One difference is that the singers and security back then were continually singing and providing security.
Do you know any religious organizations or churches that pay their singers and security?