Our Assignments

 

"...you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry," 

Numbers 4:32

    I only have three chapters to go before I complete another read through the Bible.  My reading this morning included Numbers 4 (yes, I saved Leviticus and Numbers for last).  

    This chapter lists duties of the Levites when the Israelites break camp and the tent tabernacle is broken down to carry to their next location.  There are many parts to this tabernacle that must be carefully packed and carefully carried since it is holy to Almighty God.

    Every task was important -- even gathering the "sockets, pegs, and cords," (4:32).  Each man had a specific job and if he failed to complete his assignment, the tabernacle transfer would be incomplete -- and God would not be honored.

    Each piece in a jigsaw puzzle is important.  If one is missing, you have a gaping hole.

    We who are saved by grace are tabernacles/temples where the Holy Spirit dwells.  He has specific jobs for each of us.  If we fail to complete our assignment something or someone will suffer for our neglect -- and God will not be honored.  Another brother or sister may be required to finish our job and that person will then receive the reward and satisfaction of a job well-done.

    God created each of us with certain abilities and He is keenly aware of both our limitations and our capabilities.  God never asks us to do something that He does not enable us to do.

--Parable of Talents

    In the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the master gives each servant a task according to his abilities.  He gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to the last servant.  The master knew his servants abilities and did not ask for more than they were capable of handling.

    Two of the servants doubled the amount given to them to work with and they were each rewarded equally, because they performed to the full extent of their abilities.  "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required," Luke 12:48.

    The third servant, however, failed to grow his talent to honor his master.  Instead of growing his talent and using it to further his master's kingdom, he hid it and let it basically stagnate.  His master was displeased, to say the least.

--Our Talents

    Our Master did not give us talents to hide.  They are meant to grow, to spill out, to bless others as well as ourselves, and to bring glory and honor to our Master.

    "...you shall assign to each man by name the items he must carry."  God has assigned each of His children "the items he or she must carry."  Are you carrying the items (talents/abilities/jobs) He has assigned you to carry?

    God wants us to grow -- to add to His kingdom, not subtract from it by dropping our assigned items.  

    If you're not sure what your "assignment" is, ask God to reveal it to you and then, work to grow it through the power of the Holy Spirit.  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:19.