In the Lord’s Service, We Have a Supply
This is the fifth article in the “In the Lord’s Service” series I began and follows Paul’s instruction and the metaphor of a soldier. Having served in our nation’s military and now serving the Lord in His direction and for His pleasure, I want to continue to share lessons the Lord has taught me.
1 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV
Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?
Paul’s questions are rhetorical. They are easy to understand and bring a challenge to all of us in the Kingdom. In understanding, we know from the Word of God that it is God Himself that issued this principle, and the command to practice it. (Num. 18:8-24, 1 Cor. 9:14) To provoke those that would be hesitant or disobedient, Paul reminds us that both societally and, in the Law, requirement is for those that labor for another be paid. For those that still choose to consume the spiritual blessings of your ministers, and not sow for their reaping, a question. Would you go to work every day in your secular jobs and not be paid?
Upon arriving at a duty station there are many administrative requirements to be completed before a soldier finds himself at his assigned unit. One of these is the supply room. It is here that a Marine, Soldier, Airman, or Sailor is issued everything that they will need to perform their basic duty. The supply room is not something a soldier will visit once but will visit many times as missions change. An example would be when their unit undergoes cold weather training. At the door there is no checkout.
Just as water flows down from mountains to streams, then to rivers, God’s provision for His servants comes in like manner. In serving the Lord, a servant will face needs. God is not like the Egyptian taskmasters were toward the Hebrews in Egypt. (Exodus 5:10,11) God has provided a supply for every need His servants will face in serving Him.
Philippians 4:19 NKJV
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
One of the redemptive realities Jesus did for us on the cross at Calvary, was to bring us into the Supply Room of God. A supply that is inexhaustible. Throughout the Old Covenant, in the ministry of Jesus on the earth, and from the start of the Church until now, we see the provision of God for those He has called to serve Him.
Genesis 22:8 NKJV
And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So, the two of them went together.
Luke 9:2,3 NKJV
He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
2 Cor. 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Equipment Check!
Then there is the equipping of the Lord’s servant. Looking at the standard issue of a soldier and that of a servant in Ephesians 6, there are similarities in that five of the six components are defensive in nature. The sixth is the sword which I will cover when we get to the armory later in this article.
Ephesians 6:14-17 NKJV
Stand therefore, having your girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
The Lord also equips His servant with gifts and abilities. His purpose in giving us these is not for personal gain, to look important in the eyes of others, or so he or she can hang a title on a door and have business cards printed. No, the gifts are for the benefit of others. The edifying of fellow believers and to have a part in the building of the Kingdom and bringing glory to God.
1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
These gifts are not given carelessly, not based on our good works, but as He wills or wants to. He is God, the Head of the Church. God specifically gives each of His servants a purpose with the gift and the anointing to carry it out. Our input is not asked for or needed. A soldier does not walk in and begin telling the Supply Sergeant what he wants. He does not ask, “Does this come in another color?” God planned them for us a long time ago. (Eph. 2:10) God intentionally gives His servants different gifts for the benefit of others. (Rom. 12:4-8) You do not get to pick your ministry office or spiritual gift! Selah
1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT
It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
After the Supply Room, the Armory is next. Here a Marine is issued his most prized and guarded possession, his rifle.
“This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine…”
Sorry, old disciplines are hard to shake. Let me get back on target…sorry again for the pun. This is where the similarities between soldier and servant end. As servants of the Lord our weapons are far more powerful than any military weapon available. Physical weapons are only effective in the natural, but a servant’s weapons can affect natural and spiritual things. And for the servant of the Lord, it is the sword of the Spirit. Or the Word of God coming out of your mouth!
2 Corinthians 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.