The Levites relied on their fellow countrymen for provision. They were to live off the tithes and generosity of God’s people.
Notice that when it comes to giving, we do not give in order to receive. We give from what we have been given. The Israelites have been given cities in the land—towns which they did not build, fields which they did not plough, wells which they did not dig. God has provided for them and in response (Joshua 21:2–3) they give to the Levites to show their thankfulness. This is something we must remember lest we be caught up and manipulated by those preachers who put a lot of pressure on church members to give and give and give with the promise that greater giving will result in greater blessing. They say, You give in order to receive.
Not so for Israel and not so for us. No, we give from what we have been given. We do not give in order to twist God’s arm or to fund an expansive lifestyle.
1 Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel.