All for all

Every now and then I catch myself envying a ‘super saint’ or comparing what I do to spiritual giants like Billy Graham or Elizabeth Elliot. The Holy Spirit usually reminds me that I’m not to do that and whispers these truths into my ear:

“If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we . . . Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:7 & 12)

I learned this in another version that says those who do this “are not wise” yet comparing ourselves with others is so common that we do it almost unconsciously. Why does Paul say this comparison gives evidence of a lack of comprehension? The answer is in verse 7. Every Christian is a child of God. There is no hierarchy or measurement. We are His children by adoption, something God did. We are made kings and priests; God did that too. For all, our only ground of acceptance is Christ. All of us shall be like Him, perfect in righteousness and glory. As today’s devotional writer says, can there be any degrees in perfect glory?

God’s kingdom has no second-class citizens in heaven. His attitude toward us is illustrated in the attitude of Israel’s King David, called ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ Here is the story . . .

“Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:1–6)

David and his men prepared themselves for battle, but about one-third of his army were too exhausted to go on and stayed behind. David took the others, found the Amalekites celebrating their ‘victory’ and attacked them . . .

“And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, ‘This is David’s spoil.’ Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.’ But David said, ‘You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? 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.’ And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. (1 Samuel 30:17–25)

The New Testament affirms that this is the ‘rule’ in the kingdom of God; all belongs to all:

“So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” (1 Corinthians 3:21–23)

This is humbling to me and I’m sure has the same effect on those whose ministry is prominent. We are sharing together all that God gives us.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve thought that Your favor is greater for those who work harder or become more prominent in Your kingdom, and then for belittling myself or feeling sorry for myself. The amazing truth is that all belongs to all. No matter my status in this world, or the opinion of others, in Your sight, all are equally blessed because Your blessing has nothing to do with who we are and everything to do with who You are. God’s grace has made it so.