Numbers 35:1-3 “On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses, ‘Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns. Then they will have towns to live in pasturelands for their cattle they own and all their other animals.’”

The Levites were given cities, homes, land, and herds. On the land they raised crops which were eaten. Surplus was stored or sold. Cities were ruled, defended, protected. Homes were maintained. All that commerce went on daily while the Levites waited their turn serving at the temple, doing the sacrificing and leading the worship.

Principle: Professional church people require marketplace skills for their roles including administration, worship, daily life and instruction.

Look at large churches or small churches and the lives of vocational Christians They need business skills. In fact, they could become role models for the business community of orderliness, generosity, tithing, conservation, setting new standards for Godly living. They could learn from the business community, go out and serve, minister, observe, replicate the best.

They could partner with the business community, not for profit but for productivity. They could listen for advice, pray for them, and show them how to transform the culture by applying Biblical principles to their business.

Discussion:

1. How can you help your pastoral staff to better understand the business culture?

2. Have you ever spent a day with your pastoral staff to understand their daily life? What would be the first step to arrange that?

3. As a guess, what basic business skill would your pastor most need to know?