In 1 Samuel 30, we see one of the many wise acts of David in his leadership over the people of Israel. It speaks clearly to us today of the value of those who "go" and those who "stay at home" as equal participants in the mission.
His troops had been marching and fighting for days. When they returned home, they found they themselves had been raided, and after consulting the Lord if they should pursue, the Lord confirmed they would catch the raiders. Of David's six hundred fighting men, two hundred did not have the strength to go on and they stayed behind and watched the equipment.
After the four hundred returned victoriously, these "more honorable members of the army" did not want to share the spoils with the two hundred who did not go on with them. David refused, saying, "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." He made it a law for the army after becoming king over all Israel.
We like to divide life up into the holy and un-holy occupations. Nothing could be more contradictory with the biblical witness. The pastors are not doing the Lord's work any more than the secretary. The deciding factor is not what the job is, but how you do it. Not if you have the proper status, but if you are obedient to Jesus. If the Lord has placed us in a position or given us certain gifts, using those to our very best brings glory to him.
The missionaries we send out to work among these people groups are no more important than those of us who pray. We do what the Lord gives us to do. Without someone "watching the baggage," the army could well lose all ability to make war if they are stolen or destroyed. So, that the armies of God may be equipped for battle, let us busy ourselves with the important "baggage watching."
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