GOD, THE BEST INHERITANCE
The tribe of Levi was left out in the division of the land. Some of its members might have wished to be landowners rather than Levites. Yet their loss was a special privilege, for they were selected that they might "come nigh to God," and serve in his tabernacle. God who called them did not forget them. They received houses, gardens, pasture lands (Numbers 35:1-8), and tithes (Numbers 18:21), and were commended to the care and sympathy of the nation (Deuteronomy 12:12, Deuteronomy 12:14, Deuteronomy 12:27-29). Just so, under the gospel, those called to give up their lives to the service of God, though they may not have even manses or glebes, are provided for by God through the law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:13, 1 Corinthians 9:14), and are commended to the care of his people (Galatians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:13). Let no young Christians who hear God's call to be pastors, evangelists, or missionaries hesitate to obey it. They may have many trials and heart-aches, but they know God's word: "Them that honour me I will honor." Their experience may be that of the Apostle's (Luke 22:35), for their Master's promise stands good (Matthew 19:29). But the privilege of the Levites may be enjoyed by all God's servants who can say with David, "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance."
I. THE CHRISTIAN'S INHERITANCE. Wisdom is needed in choosing an earthly inheritance or investing our "portion" of this world's goods. It may be invested in a freehold, embarked in a business venture, spent on one's own education, or squandered in riotous living. Much more is wisdom needed in regard to the soul's inheritance. Other portions allure some: modern idolatries, worldly wealth or ease (Psalms 17:14; Isaiah 57:6). But the Christian, like a loyal Levite, prefers God without the land to the land without God. He has committed his soul entirely to God. He has no second spiritual portion to fall back upon if this should fail him. Of this he has no fear. He has accepted God's offer to be his God and his portion, and he can say 2 Timothy 1:12.
II. THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF HAVING SUCH AN INHERITANCE. The grave responsibilities of the Levites have their parallel in the entire consecration needed from every Christian (Psalms 119:57; Titus 2:14). But we need not shrink from our responsibilities when we remember our privileges. The two things most needed in our inheritance are safety and sufficiency.
1. Safety. If God is our portion, he himself is our security (Deuteronomy 33:27). When be invited us to take him as our portion, it was because he took us as his inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:9; Isaiah 43:1; 1 Corinthians 3:23).
"Be thou my God, and the whole world is mine.
Whilst thou art Sovereign, I'm secure;
I shall be rich till thou art poor;
For all I hope and all I fear, heaven, earth, and hell, are thine."
2. Sufficiency. So was it with the Levites (verse 21, &c.), David (Psalms 16:6), Jacob (cf. Genesis 28:21; Genesis 48:15, Genesis 48:16), and so is it with all Christians. In God they have sufficiency for both spiritual wants (John 1:16; 1 Corinthians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 3:22; James 4:6) and temporal also (Psalms 84:11, Psalms 84:12; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19).
We can thus recommend God as the best portion for all.
1. A good portion for the young, who, like those born heirs to an estate, are entitled to this inheritance if they will claim it.
2. A good marriage portion. Illustration—Ruth, who brought Boaz an excellent portion (Ruth 1:16, Ruth 1:17; Ruth 2:11, Ruth 2:12).
3. A good inheritance in troublous times when banks and companies are failing. None of these vicissitudes in our inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:31).
4. A good inheritance in reserve (Lamentations 3:24). That hope cannot be disappointed; the heirs of God know that "still there's more to follow" (Psalms 31:19).
5. A good inheritance on a dying bed. Then all earthly inheritance daily drop in value to the proprietor, and at last "flesh and heart fail." But the Christian can say Psalms 73:26. Because God has been the "portion of his inheritance" he can add Psalms 16:8, Psalms 16:9, Psalms 16:11.—P.