I Deserve This…..

One of the problems that comes along with accomplishment is pride. When you’ve finished the job, won the award, been granted the promotion, the first thing we think is, “I deserve this”. The second you start to think it, selfish thoughts flood in like a raging river after a storm. These selfish thoughts trump common sense, common courtesy, and keep us in a state of mind that’s not beneficial to others. There’s a reason why God hates pride, and today’s scripture shows us why. When David’s men came back from raiding and rescuing their families, they had more plunder than they originally had before. They immediately didn’t want to share it with the 200 men who stayed behind to guard the equipment. They told the 200 that they could have their wives and children back, but would get no share of the plunder. David put an end to this selfish behavior by establishing a decree that would last in his kingdom throughout the reign of the kings. Sharing the spoils of battle with those left behind (for whatever reason) was now the norm. As David said, “don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us”. It’s just one more way we are to behave out of gratitude towards God. When selfish thoughts creep in, remember, God never intended for us to keep His blessings to ourselves. Selfishness guarantees just that. Let’s put a stop to this abuse of what we know to be right, by putting into action what David did even before he reigned as king. The spoils of war spoil those who think “it’s all mine”. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

21 Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200  men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully. 22 But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”23 But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. 24 Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike–those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” 25 From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today. 1 Samuel 30:21-25