From the archives of Evelyn Roberts
I love the story in 1 Samuel 30 that tells how David and his six hundred men recovered everything that their enemies had stolen in a raid of their homes in Ziklag. The Lord had told David, “Go after them; you will recover everything that was taken from you” (v. 8 TLB)! So they charged out of Ziklag to overtake the enemy.
When they reached the brook of Besor, two hundred of David’s men were too utterly exhausted to continue, so they collapsed there, staying behind at the brook with the baggage. The rest of the men pressed on, and the battle happened just the way God had promised…they defeated their enemies in a glorious victory, recovering everything! On the way back to Ziklag, they stopped at the brook to share the spoil with those who had stayed behind. But some of the men who had actually fought the battle didn’t want to share with the ones who hadn’t. They said, “No! Why should we divide what we fought for with someone who stayed behind?”
But David told them, “You’re not going to be selfish with what you have. We’re going to divide it. These men watched our baggage and prayed for us while we were gone, so we share and share alike. Those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment get the same.” From then on, that was the law in Israel.
You see, the reason the Lord gives us what we have is so that we can share it with others. I’ve heard people say, “Well, I have a limited income, so I can’t give much.” But God only expects us to do what we can. He just wants us to share, and then expect Him to give to us in return. He is so good to give us everything we have. Then when we give again, He gives back again, and it becomes a lifestyle. He just keeps pouring it back to us!