1 Samuel 30:24
For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
David ran into a situation that often plagues many churches, which can also cause these churches to suffer strife. When David and his men returned from helping the Philistines in their battle, they discovered their wives and children had been taken captive by the Amalekites. David and his men began to pursue this army that had invaded their city, but some of the people could no longer pursue because they were faint. After the battle was won, the men who were faint came to meet David. However, the men who fought the battle wanted nothing to do with these men and did not want them to enjoy the spoils they acquired in the battle. David made it clear that those who tarried by the stuff and kept it safe were as valuable as the person who fought the battle.
There is a critical lesson every church needs to learn from this story, and that is everyone is critical to the work of the LORD. Some may not be able to do as much as others, but every person’s part in the reaching of souls and building the church is important. David said, as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. David understood everyone has a part in the work of the LORD, and none should be considered unimportant. Let me share three thoughts about this critical truth.
First, it takes many people doing many different things to reach the lost and build a church, and every one of these people and jobs are as important as the other. Certainly, you should think your job is the most important job, but never allow the burden for your job in the church cause you to think that others are inferior to the work of the LORD. If their part is inferior, why do we put time into that part? What many don't understand is they could not do what they do if they did not have others who were the support group. Let me illustrate: the church buses could not run if we ran off everyone who did not work on a bus route. Though some only give in the offering, their giving allows the church buses to run. If you run the givers off, you cannot run the buses. Therefore, both are critical to reaching the lost.
Second, there are some who are faint because of age, but don't minimize them because they are critical to the LORD’s work. There are many aged people in a church who can't do what they once used to do, but the little they do is another part in helping lives to be changed. I have a man in my church in his upper eighties who can no longer go up stairs because of his instability, so every week I give him people to follow up on to make sure they are in church. This man is as critical to me as the bus worker or soul winner. He still leads people to Christ sporadically, but his follow-up is critical to helping free up some of my time so I can go soul winning. Be careful about judging the aged because one day you will be there and will understand that the strength you once had is not there, and you won't be able to do what you once used to do. Every part that anyone contributes to is critical to the LORD’s work, so rather than minimize the part people give, rejoice that they have a part in reaching the lost.
Third, if you don't have a part, become a part of the LORD’s work. You can be a great tool to help your church reach the lost and grow if you will give your part to this great work.
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