Larry Levite: A "Pastor" with a Monthly Maintenance Program - Judges 17-21

I love the story of Micah, the young man who steals money from his mother; he gives it back and she makes him an idol out of it he can set up in his bedroom to falsely worship. The story of Micah is the story of most religion people in today's society. Micah had a "shrine," sacred religious "clothing," and he even "consecrated" one of his sons to be his personal priest. But, then something better came along. A Levite, struggling in his own life to fulfill the real meaning of worship and purpose, comes to Micah's house. Micah makes an offer to the Levite he can't refuse: "Be my personal priest and I will clothe you, pay our wage and "maintain" you. The priest was going to have a monthly "mantenance" program similiar the arrangement we might make with the pool guy each summer. The Levite was Micah's personal guru. Never intended in Old Testement commandments, the Levite was translating his blood line into cash flow. He would be able to provide "worship" to Micah and his family and live safe and secure with a wage. (By the way, the Levite was supposed to receive no wage or land and was to live off the offerings of the people - thus tying their prosperity to the obedience of the people). When a better offer comes along later, the Levite takes it, thus demonstrating his desire for personal prosperity over Godly obedience. Not much has changed in today's "priesthood." We all, a Holy Priesthood (see 1 Peter), tend to follow the easiest path and the path of comfort in our worship and service. Discomfort in worship makes us ... uncomfortbale. So, we complain about the beat of the music, the tempeture of the church and/or the length and directness of the message. We are willing to move from one place of service to another for more comfortable surroundings and more "opportunity" to be served by a broader batch of ministries "for us" to receive. We are not better than "Larry Levite" who shops his service for a "Lazy Living."