Sometimes we who preach are guilty of pressing undue emphasis in certain kinds of service. The impression is left that if you are not visible in service you are not valuable. A lesson we need to learn is that God has all kinds of servants.

This truth is well illustrated in 1 Samuel 30:21-25.  The Amalekites made a raid upon the city of Ziklag (Vss. 1-3). David, in turn, attacked and recovered everything the Amalekites had taken (Vs. 18). In this action David used 600 soldiers (Vs. 9). Four hundred actually went into battle (Vs. 10). Two hundred were not physically able to participate (Vs. 10).

Of those who could not participate David said: “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” (vs. 24). It was not for lack of desire that these soldiers did not go into battle (Vs. 10). They still rendered valuable service in guarding the belongings of those who did participate. Why is this lesson important to us today?

There Are Servants Differing in Qualifications:

All Christians are not equally adept at every type of service. The church is compared to a body with many members. Paul said, “And the members do not have the same function” (Rom. 12:4). The differing gifts of the church are listed in verses 6-8. It is possible that Paul included some spiritual gifts in this list. It is not certain that members of the church at Rome had such gifts at this time. Paul had hoped to visit them so as to impart “some spiritual gift” to them (1:11). Whatever the situation, the principle taught would include the need of brethren with differing talents to use them for the good of all concerned. At the Mabelvale church we are so blessed people and families of all ages. We have a wonderful crop of young families who are devoted to the Lord and lend their services to the growth of us all!

There Are Servants Differing in Productivity:

Good servants differ in what they are able to accomplish (Matt. 13:23). The parable of the talents represents differing abilities in the kingdom (Matt. 25:14-30). As the ability of each servant differed, so did the amount given to each (Vs. 15). They were not required to be equal in the end – they were required to be faithful. The man with one talent was condemned because he did nothing! Problems results from the refusal to serve in the capacity to which we are fitted. No one should compare themselves to anyone else. No one should feel that they are not doing “as much” as someone else. All are needed and valuable!

There Are Servants Differing in Temperament:

We are not all of the same disposition, or temperament, nor are we all at the same degree of spiritual growth and development. There are servants of the Lord who are reserved and serve quietly. We have older men and women whose voice is not as vibrant as it once was (Tit. 2:2-4). We have mothers whose work is rearing their children in the Lord (Tit. 2:5). We have singles who stand alone in a world of couples. Some are bearing the wounds of desertion by a mate, but they have not deserted their Lord. We have widows and widowers who must serve alone, but are not forgotten. We have shut-ins who pray for, and often write cards to, those who labor in the kingdom. We have people with physical limitations whose heart for service in the kingdom knows no limits! They often have a gift for encouraging us in ways that they may not appreciate, but the rest of us sure do!

There are servants of the Lord who are not quiet. They are vocal, active, busy, persistent, teaching, promoting and encouraging the work of the church. Both this vocal servant and the quiet servant are servants of the Lord. Neither should disparage the other.

We sing a song that says, “There is room in the kingdom of God, my brother, for the small things that you can do; Just a small, kindly deed that may cheer another is the work God has planned for you.” May we find our place in the church and serve the Lord we love!