PLACES YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO STAY (2) – Micah’s Shrine 1

I was having a conversation with a minister a while back and I realised that every one of his thoughts and words revolved around money. It was simply about the physical attractions of ministry. I had to warn myself that I would never be like that.

A dear teacher once said that a minister of the gospel has no business having a desire to be wealthy. Tough words. What is the point? Your focus must be contentment. Paul charged Timothy the same way:

These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
1 Timothy 6:5‭-‬6 NLT

Then he pointed Timothy to Contentment again:

After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
1 Timothy 6:7‭-‬8 NLT

However, in the Old Testament, there was a young Levite who took on the work of ministry. The ministry he joined was a shrine:

Micah set up a shrine for the idol, and he made a sacred ephod and some household idols. Then he installed one of his sons as his personal priest.
Judges 17:5 NLT

He took on the work because he wanted to survive. His concern was the shelter and the salary:

One day a young Levite, who had been living in Bethlehem in Judah, arrived in that area. “Where are you from?” Micah asked him. He replied, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah, and I am looking for a place to live.” “Stay here with me,” Micah said, “and you can be a father and priest to me. I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, plus a change of clothes and your food.”
Judges 17:7‭, ‬9‭-‬10 NLT

Some men came along and noticed that there was something different about him:

So the men of Dan chose from their clans five capable warriors from the towns of Zorah and Eshtaol to scout out a land for them to settle in. When these warriors arrived in the hill country of Ephraim, they came to Micah’s house and spent the night there. While at Micah’s house, they recognized the young Levite’s accent, so they went over and asked him, “Who brought you here, and what are you doing in this place? Why are you here?”
Judges 18:2‭-‬3 NLT

Did you notice their questions: Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?

The first question pointed to the place of covering and counsel. If you are well trained and guided, there are places you will never be found. The second question may seem like it is asking for a job description but no! It is a statement of shock. And the final one was a question of when the purpose is defined, there are things you will never settle for.

This young Levite was simply in it for money. If you are called to ministry and you see that money is making the decisions now, you need to repent and retrace your steps before it is late.

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