I Samuel 30:24 conveys such an important principle for the Body of Christ! It’s truth is echoed in the New Testament book of Matthew, chapter 10 verse 41. Let’s look at both of those passages and see what God has for us this week.
I Samuel 30:24 - 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 Matthew 10:41 - The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
What does these mean, what are they teaching us today?
Context for the passage from I Samuel - David was in the midst of defeating enemies. The men who followed him shared in his victories. In battling the Amalekites, some of his men were exhausted from previous campaigns and David allowed them to rest, sitting out this particular battle. When it came time to divide the spoils of victory, some among those who had secured these treasures wanted to keep them for themselves and not share them with those who had remained behind to rest. David rebuked that perspective - he insisted that those who went and those who stayed were equal and would share accordingly. The foundation of his reason is seen in verse 23 - what the Lord has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand - in other words, David recognizes that their success came from the Lord and therefore it is not something they earned and could keep for themselves. Such a profound truth for us as the Body of Christ. This can be misapplied, I think, and twisted into a socialist mindset but I don’t think that is what it means at all. Rather I think it is telling us that we all have different work to do and that God does not elevate one position over another but instead rewards us all lavishly because we are all one in Christ. Those who have parking lot duty at church are not “less than” those who preach or lead worship. Those in staff positions are not greater in God’s eyes than those who clean the church property. (He might make an exception for those who take care of toddlers - they probably do deserve a greater reward!! :) )
This truth is reinforced in the Matthew passage. Jesus teaches us that our service to the Body enables the Body to function properly and that every act is significant in His eyes. Even the giving of cold water to little ones! (Verse 42)
What encouragement this provides for us saints! There are times in our journey that we become weary. And we need rest so we sit out a battle or two. Times in our journey where we doubt the value of the work we are doing for the Kingdom, comparing ourselves to the “important people” and letting ourselves believe we don’t matter.
May we take note of what these passages teach us. Jesus understands our needs; He sees our service; and He values us, He rewards us…not because we are worthy but because He is generous.