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David Stellwagon
When we think of a man like Job, who when he lost everything
could say, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away" and
would not speak evil of the Lord or complain, we are amazed. Or when
we consider the widow who gave the two coins in the offering box at
the temple, which happened to be all the money she had, we wonder
how she could do such a thing. There have been men and women of God
throughout history who have left their homes and the comforts they
had to go to other lands and people to share the gospel knowing that
they may face loneliness, hunger and many dangers. Some have given
of their finances or material possessions to meet the needs of needy
brothers or sisters, even if they might end up with needs
themselves. What allows these people to be able to do these things?
There is a common attitude of the heart that is wrapped up in some
words that King David spoke.
In 1 Samuel chapter 30, when David and his men, who had been out
to war, returned to their city, Zigklag, they found that the
Amalekites had burned their city and taken all their wives, children
and possessions. They went after the Amalekites but two hundred of
the six hundred men were so worn out that they remained behind. When
the four hundred men returned from victory over the Amalekites, some
of the men didn't think that the two hundred should have any of the
spoils except their own wives and children, because they didn't
fight in the battle. But "…David said, 'You must not do
so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us, who has kept us
and delivered into our hand the band that came against us. And who
will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down
to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they
shall share alike.'" (1 Samuel 30:23,24, NAS95) David
understood that the victory was by the Lord only, and that all the
possessions they have are from His hand. Nothing was gotten of their
own power or might. So he made it a rule that those who fight and
those who stay behind will receive the same share of the spoils.
When we have the understanding that all we have comes from the
Lord and all accomplishments are of Him, then we will easily be able
to give it up at His bidding.
David Stellwagon and his wife Kathy were missionaries to Japan
for 11 years. David is the son of life-long missionaries to Japan
and David and Kathy's three sons were also born in Japan. David and
Kathy returned to the states in 2000. David currently teaches Sunday
School and the New Testament Bible Survey in our School for
Christian Workers.
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