The Mother of Nations and Hidden Servants
Text: 1 Samuel 30:1-31
“For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” —1 Samuel 30:24
My wife rarely gets the opportunity to travel with me to other countries due to her domestic responsibilities and other factors, yet Cindy’s piece of the missional puzzle is no less important as those with boots on the ground at the sports camps we facilitate overseas. Her gifts of administration back home have translated into tens of thousands of young people all over the world hearing and responding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s why I was so tickled when an African pastor called her “the mother of nations” as his church sang Happy Birthday to her over an online video call.
My wife’s gifts, abilities, and often “hidden” contributions to the mission are just as valuable a part of the “sending” team as those who are part of the “going” team. That’s a principle we see illustrated in 1 Samuel 30.
Terror has struck in Ziklag. David and his men return home to find their homes burned, their possessions stolen, and their precious families taken captive. Greatly distressed, the men wept until they had no more strength to weep. All the people were bitter in soul, each for his kidnapped sons and daughters. David strengthened himself in the Lord, and after seeking out God’s counsel on what to do, his men set out on a rescue mission to reclaim what the Amalekite raiders had stolen. Four hundred men pursued the enemy while two hundred exhausted warriors stayed back with the baggage.
When they caught up to the Amalekites, they found them drinking, dancing, and enjoying the spoils of their victories. David’s men attacked them and recovered all that had been stolen from Ziklag—the goods, the women, and the children. When David’s 400 men returned to the 200 who stayed behind at the Besor brook, then came a quarrel. “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart,” said those who had gone up with David about those who stayed behind.
But David rejected their selfishness and instructed the spoil to be shared equally among all. “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” And David made it a statute for Israel from that day forward, that everyone’s contribution to the mission was equally valued, whether a soldier fighting in the trenches or an officer looking after the base of operations.
When the Lord gave David a great victory, he knew it was the Lord’s victory more than his own. From that perspective, he knew that every person mattered no matter what role they played. God rewards His hidden servants just as much as His prominent servants. Thus, David equitably declared an important principle that the supply lines are just as vital as the combat fighters, and God will reward both “soldiers” and “supporters” the same.
We have all been given spiritual gifts to use in God’s great big rescue mission. Some giftings are more visible than others, while others are essential in seemingly invisible, behind-the-scenes operations. Yet no gifting is more significant than others. We should never use our giftings to compare our value with others, which will always lead us down one of two dangerous paths—pride in thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought, or diffidence in thinking of ourselves too lowly than we ought. We should use our gifts to complement one another in fulfilling God’s work together. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace,” Peter wrote to the early church.
No matter where your gifts land you in God’s rescue mission, be content with who you are and the value of your contribution to His kingdom cause. Always flee the temptation to compare yourself with others. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for making me exactly who I am. And thank you for making others exactly the way they are. Teach us how to complement one another in ways that lead to bolder expressions of faithfulness in kingdom living and missional enterprise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:
- Who is an unseen hero in your life?
- When have you struggled with comparing your gifting with others? When have you seen your gifting complement others?
- Why is it such a fierce temptation to compare ourselves to others?
- In what way(s) is using our gifts to serve one another good stewardship of God’s varied grace?
- Do you need to confess a pride of thinking too highly of your gifting? Do you need to confess a diffidence in thinking too lowly of the gifting God as entrusted to you?