Having looked at two kinds of service, at the front or at the base, in the first part of this lesson, let’s find wherever we can best serve the Lord, and do so properly, which leads to our next point. Both services demand the same goal, sacrifice, and zeal. In the case of David and his men . The men “at the base” weren’t there because they were lazy or scared. Though exhausted, they were just as motivated as those who went on. Their families had been kidnapped, too! Someone had to stay with the baggage, or the rest of the force might not have caught up with the enemy. Staying behind was a form of sacrifice, when it was your family out there somewhere in the hands of the enemy! With the same goal, sacrifice, and zeal as those who pursued the enemy, they did their job of guarding the baggage!
To fulfill our roles in the Lord's army, all need the same goal, sacrifice, and zeal! What is our “goal”? “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” - 1 Pe 4:11. To glorify God, whether in our service or in our teaching! A goal like this can transform even secular or mundane service into a sacred and important one! For example, providing baby-sitting services so the parents can be free to visit and teach others, working as a common laborer so as to be able to support preachers in a foreign country. What kind of “sacrifice”? “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” - 1 Pe 4:10. Each person has a gift (or more), an ability, given to him by God’s manifold grace. As stewards, we will one day give an account - Mt 25:14-30. We may not have the same talent, or number of talents, but we are expected to do the best with what we have! We certainly shouldn’t squander what has been given to us!
While we may serve in different capacities, we should have the same sense of sacrifice Some believe preachers should be willing to sacrifice more than others. Is such a view consistent with what we are learning here? Should the “quartermasters” back at the base be squandering what may have been given them to support the “soldiers” at the front? Should we not all have the same willingness to sacrifice if the need is there? If brethren “at the base” sacrificed as much as they expected those to do who are “at the front”, would there not be more good things being done?
What kind of “zeal”? “as with the ability which God supplies” - 1 Pe 4:11. Whatever our ability, whatever our service, God gives us the strength to do it! Shall we be slack with what God has given us? We should be zealous to utilize what we have in a manner worthy of God’s gracious gift! It is not so much what service we render to God, but how we do it. And what sacrifice or zeal might be expected of one should be expected of all, for we seek the same goal!
Finally, let’s quickly note the point that both services receive the same reward. We saw where David made this a law in Israel. “...they shall share alike” - 1 Sam 30:24-25. Whether they stayed by the supplies, or served in the battle. The same principle is repeated in the New Testament. Jesus taught it in Mt 10:41-42 "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward." Paul illustrated the same principle with regards to deacons, who are servants of the church - 1 Ti 3:13 "For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." -- This should help us in our zeal and sacrifice.
Too often, the Lord’s battle is hindered by the lack of support.... Some may be willing to go and teach, but others may not be willing to send and support. Yet we have seen that both forms of service are equally important; require the same goal, sacrifice, and zeal; receive the same reward. Wherever we may serve in the Lord’s “army”, whether “At The Front Or At The Base”, let’s do it as good stewards and with great zeal!
Speaking of the Lord’s “army”, have you been “enlisted” by the Lord yet (2 Ti 2: 3-4 "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.")? Through the precious gospel of Christ, God is calling all who will come to Him... - 2 Th 2:14 "whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
If you have not enlisted in the Lord's army and would like further information or assistance, please contact me at jimnewy@classicnet.net or jimnewy@gmail.com
