FLAMING WORD – P21
1 SAMUEL 17:17-18
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren.
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
We want to consider again the above portion of scripture we looked at in our last lesson.
Jesse’s three sons were in the army. All Israel lived in fear because of the oppression of the Philistines. An attack on the army of Israel could mean the death of Jesse’s three sons. It was important, as a father, to know how his sons were faring. To get news of them required sending someone who would be equally burdened concerning their welfare as he was. It required one who was “his brother’s keeper.”
David worked hard to keep the family’s business. He contributed to the welfare of his family. He sought the advancement of his family, so he contributed his quota to the best of his ability. He could be said to be “kingdom-minded.”
To be Kingdom-minded is to be willing to make some sacrifices, as the need may be, to ensure the advancement of God’s people or the church.
The early church was kingdom-minded. They sought each other’s welfare. Many sacrifices were made.
ACTS 4:33-37
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The church was of one heart and one soul and had everything in common. And the result? The power of God was evident amongst them; great signs and wonders, notable miracles were prevalent.
Acts 4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
This will be our story if we have one heart and one mind towards God’s kingdom. Great grace will be upon us all.
Shalom.