Daily Devotional
1 Samuel 30: 22-24 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart…. 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.
Not because someone else is not able to do what you are able to do, means that their contribution is any less important.
When David and his six hundred (600) men went to recover their wives, children and possessions from the Amalekites, two hundred of the men felt weak and could not make it beyond the brook Besor. As a result, only four hundred (400) men went the full journey with David to recover all that was taken from them. Their mission was a great success and so in addition to taking back what was initially lost they were able to take many cattle and flocks that previously belonged to the Amalekites. After it was all over, the four hundred (400) men asserted that the 200 men who were unable to fight would not be allowed to partake in the spoils that were taken from the Amalekites. David intervened in the matter and stated that the two hundred (200) men would get an equal share like all the others who went the full journey, even though they did not fight in the battle. What was the principle the scripture was teaching us?
The principle that 1 Samuel 30:22-24 teaches is to recognize and value the contribution of others. 1 Corinthians 12:17 alludes to this when it says “if the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? The point being made by the scripture is that in a team activity the contribution made may vary from person to person, but each person’s effort is important. Too often what happens is that those who play smaller roles are treated as if they did not contribute; this was exactly what the four hundred (400) men were saying. The argument of the four hundred (400) could be likened to a football team winning a championship and refusing to share the prize money with those team members who got injured early in the season; that would be unfair. David refused to entertain the injustice and demanded that they get an equal share; although they could not make the journey.
Pay keen attention to the contribution being made by others in your environment, acknowledge it and show appreciation for what they are doing.
Life Application: Recognize and value the contribution of others by paying attention to how the efforts of others are helping to make a difference in the accomplishment of the mission.
Prayer: Father, thank you for those who you have placed in my life who have made valuable contributions to my life. May I always show my appreciation and to also give back in any way I can. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Daily Devotional 
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