A Shared Reward

Salem Bible Study
Teachings on Community1 Samuel 30:21-31 (The Message)

 ²¹ Then David came to the two hundred who had been too tired to continue with him and had dropped out at the Brook Besor. They came out to welcome David and his band. As he came near he called out, "Success!"
 ²² But all the mean-spirited men who had marched with David, the rabble element, objected: "They didn't help in the rescue, they don't get any of the plunder we recovered. Each man can have his wife and children, but that's it. Take them and go!"
 ^23-25 "Families don't do this sort of thing! Oh no, my brothers!" said David as he broke up the argument. "You can't act this way with what God gave us! God kept us safe. He handed over the raiders who attacked us. Who would ever listen to this kind of talk? The share of the one who stays with the gear is the share of the one who fights—equal shares. Share and share alike!" From that day on, David made that the rule in Israel—and it still is.
 ^26-31 On returning to Ziklag, David sent portions of the plunder to the elders of Judah, his neighbors, with a note saying, "A gift from the plunder of God's enemies!" He sent them to the elders in Bethel, Ramoth Negev, Jattir, Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, Racal, Jerahmeelite cities, Kenite cities, Hormah, Bor Ashan, Athach, and Hebron, along with a number of other places David and his men went to from time to time.

For Reflection:
How many times have we read scripture where what seems fair and just under the commonsense wisdom of the day is redefined in the community of God's people?  All belongs to God and He distributes the wealth of His Kingdom as He sees fitting.  Living in the hollow of God's hand wipes away our need to conform to the current common perception of fairness and justice.  Rather, think about how you conform to the rule of love and grace -- the commonsense of the Kingdom.

Pray that you conform not to this world, but, rather to the Kingdom of God.  Pray to be able to recognize the difference.