“For I have reserved the breast of the special offering and the right thigh of the sacred offering for the priests. It is the permanent right of Aaron and his descendants to share in the peace offerings brought by the people of Israel.”

Leviticus 7:34 (NLT)

In any retreat we plan we must consider dietary restrictions. People have food items they can and cannot eat. Some people have a severe reaction to certain foods; others avoid them as a matter of preference. In the Law, God identified some foods as clean and others as unclean. Two food items that were prohibited were blood and fat. The blood was prohibited because the life was in the blood, and God gave the blood to atone for sin. The fat was prohibited because this was God’s portion. But could the reason also be that high amounts of animal fat are not good for us?

We can be sure that whenever God prohibits one thing it is so He can provide something better. For the priests, God provided fine flour, cakes and bread of the grain offerings, and the breast and the thigh of the peace offerings. This was their portion for ministering to the LORD and to His people. If they would obey God’s commandments, then they would receive all that they needed.

When I was a young adult, I did not plan to go into ministry. My goal was to make lots of money in advertising. I was going to college with that in mind. Meanwhile, I was working part-time at our church producing a radio program called “Rock and Religion”. Our pastor’s wife, Mary Neely, interviewed Christian recording artists and played their music. At the time this program was being aired on about 200 radio stations nationwide. One day while I was at the church working, the Lord spoke to my heart. I had a decision to make regarding registering for another semester of college, but the Lord brought to mind Matthew 6:33:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

I felt in my spirit that if I would devote myself to the work of the ministry then God would provide for my needs. I did not expect to make a fortune, but I knew that everything I needed would be provided. I chose to devote myself to the Lord’s work and forsook a degree in advertising. Since then, God has gone above and beyond. He has met our needs and given us abundant blessings that we don’t deserve. He gives us not only enough to squeak by, but also every good and perfect gift for our enjoyment (James 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:17). I mention this because many people strive to get ahead in this world, but they never humble themselves and seek God’s way.

God is a wonderful provider, and if you will trust in Him and walk in His ways, then He will supply all your needs…and then some!

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