February 13th

In today's reading we see the second census taken after the 40 years of dessert wandering that God inflicted upon the people due to their disobedience and lack of faith.  From this census each tribe is given their inheritance in the land.  What I find interesting is should the division of the land occurred prior to this second census the results would have been very difference.  The lack of obedience on the part of some influenced the division of the inheritance for all. 

Judah remained the largest tribe.  They had the smallest increase (1900) but they were able to maintain the numbers and because of this they received the largest portion. Manasseh is an amazing story of the underdog.  They were the smallest tribe prior to the wandering but they had a whopping increase of 20,500 and became the 6^th largest tribe.  To have such a great increase shows that most of them must have gotten the point God was trying to make and lived their 40 years with little rebellion and as much obedience as they could muster.  Because of this they greatly increased their portion in the inheritance.  Simeon on the other hand was a sad showing of falling from grace.  They began as the 3^rd largest tribe in the whole nation but by the time God was ready to bring them into the land their numbers had decreased by 37,100 and they became the smallest tribe in the nation.  They would have had a great share in the land but their tremendous show of disobedience, negative influence and pride caused them to become the least and loose what could have been an even bigger blessing.

Not only did the disobedience of many affect how the inheritance was divided, it caused a decrease in the number of God's children.  His nation had decreased.  Those able to fight on the Lords behalf had been reduced by 1,820.  I don't think God desires to loose any from his nation.

Did you know that we too are getting ready to receive an inheritance and our portion will be greatly affected by a different kind of census?

Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

If you read the story that occurs before this passage in Matthew you will be reading the parable of the talents.  Where the Master entrust his own money to 3 of his servants to use to bring about additional gains to his household.  He gives each according to the obedience they have shown in the past with handling that which the Master deems valuable to him.  Upon his return when he is ready to settle his accounts only 2 of the 3 servants have an increase.  They knew their Master desired to have them use these treasures to bring about greater treasure for him. Because of this they received a larger reward.  They were trusted with so much more.  But to the one who did nothing, who wasted the Master's time and treasure, what they would have had was taken from them and given to another.

Like the tribes we read about in today's reading and the servants in the parable in Matthew, God has entrusted each of us with treasures.  He has given each of us spiritual gifts that he wants us to use to bring about an increase in His kingdom.  He desire to have His kingdom grow and he is trusting you and I to be obedient in whatever he calls us to so that we can use what he has given to us to bring about Kingdom growth.

Remember what we have learned the past 2 Monday??? You are a part of they royal priesthood, you are a holy nation.  Daily we must cleans our hearts of any impurities that have attached to our hearts in the past 24 hours so that we can serve him with a right heart.  Then where he is moving you are to follow and to bring with you his word and the gifts that he has given to you.  You are to do this out of obedience so that we can be a part of the work of increasing his kingdom for all of eternity.

What is amazing is that God says I will reward you for all that you do.  Now, let me get one thing straight here, we don't do anything to earn our salvation (Eph 2:8-9).  The Israelites didn't do anything to earn their way into the promise land; it was a gift from God promised to their forefathers.   But, their obedience and faithful service to God did determine what their portion would be.  The same is true with our portion in the Kingdom of heaven.  We are guaranteed salvation but a different kind of census will be taken of what we have done to show if there has been an increase or decrease in God's Kingdom due to our service and obedience (or lack there of) and we will be rewarded accordingly…

Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. " (Also see Romans 2:6 and 1 Corinthians3:8). 

We are the servants in the parable of the talents.  Our Master is coming back and he will want an account of what we did with the gifts that were entrusted to us.  How did we bless others and therefore increase his kingdom?  Our service, our obedience will not go unnoticed and God will reward us accordingly.

If you read Matthew 25:35-40 you will see that God is not asking you to do things that are grandiose and flashy but to just be obedient to where he leads you.  It can be as simple as seeing the needs of those around us and doing whatever we can to meet those needs.  To show hospitality and to give of our time as well.  He just wants you to be ready and willing to go where it is he leads you and to use that which he has given you, equipped you with.  In this way you will bring about an increase to his Kingdom.

It is just as easy for us to ignore the work God has equipped us for.  Laziness, pride, selfishness, self-centeredness, judgmental attitudes, self- righteousness, etc…. are all things that can interfere and cause a decrease in the kingdom work.  They are all in opposition to God and would be considered disobedience.

What kind of servant are you?
Have you been obedient to the Lord's leading today? This week? This year?
Have you been like one of the tribes that are seeing an increase or a decrease in God's kingdom due to your actions and attitudes towards others?
Are you using the gifts, skills, and abilities that God has blessed you with to bring about Kingdom growth or have you been judgmental, self-guiding, and stubborn?
Do you covet your time or make sure that you leave enough of it available for the Lord to use in ways he desires?
What are some ways you can become a Kingdom increaser and help be a part of the work God is calling you to?