1 Samuel 30:21 And David came to the
two hundred men, who because of weariness had not gone with him, but were
waiting at the stream Besor: and they went out, meeting David and the people
who were with him; and when they came near them, they said, How are you?
22*
Then the bad and good-for-nothing men among those who went with David said,
Because they did not go with us, we will give them nothing of the goods which
we have got back, but only to every man his wife and children, so that he may
take them and go.
23*
Then David said, You are not to do this, my brothers, after what the Lord has
given us, who has kept us safe and given up the band which came against us into
our hands.
24*
Who is going to give any attention to you in this question? for an equal part
will be given to him who went to the fight and to him who was waiting by the
goods: they are all to have the same.
25*
And so he made it a rule and an order for Israel from that day till now.
When David returned from recapturing his wives
from the Amalekites he was greeted by the 1/3 of his men who had not gone along
in the effort to pursue the Amalekites.
These were the men who had been unable for
various reasons to cross the river in pursuit.
In church life, in fact in any corporate life,
there will be moments some of the followers are not going to be able to keep up
with you as leader.
There own situations will overwhelm them and
they cannot see your vision. Fatigue or other personal issues will keep them
from giving the support you expected them to give you concerning your vision.
How are you to respond to them?
A significant number of the 2/3 of the men who
had gone all the way with David wanted to punish those who had not gone with
them to the battle.
They were prepared to return to them their wives
and children but not to share with them any of the fruit of their labor.
Some will always reason "these people did
nothing to contribute so they should not share in the victory."
However notice the Scripture calls these the
"bad and good-for-nothing men" (BBE) who felt this way.
David realized the long term relationships were
more important than short term situations. Never lose the big view.
He would not accept the viewpoint of those who
would punish the weak and discouraged in the group.
He recognized that during the seasons of
rejoicing is not the time to become vindicative.
David is not swayed by the emotions of the few.
He keeps the good of the whole in mind. Team building is important.
An equal part would be given to those who went
to the battle and to those who stayed with the stuff. David protected the
dignity of those who had not been able to keep up with the others. He did this
by saying they had been waiting with the goods. Some will go to the front lines
and others will have support roles. Both should be rewarded.
A leader can bring division within his team or a
leader can create unity within the team.
David established a precedent. Some traditions
are good. David made it a rule that all members of the team...of the
church...of the company are to share in the victories won. No one is to be made
to feel of less value.
David set a gracious guideline and others
followed it.
A father does not expect all children to carry
out equal work. He gives assignments according to the abilities. Then he
creates opportunities for everyone to rejoice together.
