Hi Kenneth,
I really can't contribute to this discussion myself, but I found where Ray spoke on this a bit in his tithing article. The first article is speaking on tithing, but I thought it might apply to what you are asking as well.
http://bible-truths.com/tithing.html ---------------------
5] Numbers 18:24-28, "But the TITHES of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the TITHES which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a TENTH part of the TITHE. And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your TITHES, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the Lord’s heave offering to Aaron the priest."
According to the above Scriptures, could just anyone claim to be a representative of God and therefore have Israel pay tithes to him? Let’s read it again, "But the TITHES of the children of Israel ... I have given to the Levites to inherit." Now in order to be a priest one not only had to be of the tribe of Levi, but he also had to be of the family of Aaron.
v
The only food in God’s house—the tabernacle, was a dozen loaves of bread. And that bread was for the Priests only, not for the tribe of Levi.
http://bible-truths.com/lake16-B.html ------------------------
But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appears? for He is like A REFINER’S FIRE, and like FULLERS’ SOAP: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi…" (Mal. 3:1-3a).
Just who are the "sons of Levi" under the New Covenant? Why they are the "chosen elect FEW." Peter describes them:
"But you [those chosen for salvation in this church era] are a chosen generation, a royal PRIESTHOOD, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: Which in time past were NOT a people, but are NOW THE PEOPLE OF GOD…" (I Peter 2:9-10).
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mercy, peace and love
Kat