by John O’Malley
This article is part five in a six-part series on the core values and culture of your missions office. Each article in this series focuses on the values we display when we are at our best. The five values are Selfless, Eager, Responsible, Valuable, and Exceptional.
Two hundred warriors were so faint they could not follow David, their leader. They waited by a brook called Besor while David took other warriors to fight a battle. David recovered the people and possessions stolen by the Philistines. David spoiled the enemies. The two hundred weary men met David on his return. David greeted them.
David’s victory in the battle over the Philistines yielded a spoil. The carnal men in David’s army said they would not share the spoil of war with the weary. These complaining malcontents felt those who stayed behind should only get from the spoils their once-stolen wives and children. These men felt those who remained and did not go into battle should take their wives and kids and go away.
David taught the warriors a lesson on seeing value in others. David taught them: the battle we fought was the Lord’s. David reminded them: we did not get these spoils on our own; God gave us the spoils. As a king and warrior, David taught our Lord preserved us in battle. God gave the enemies into our hands.
David dismissed the negative words. His message was simple: everybody is valuable for who they are and not for what they do. This moment led David to declare a new statute and ordinance in Israel. When David spoke of the men who stayed back and the men who advanced, David did not differentiate or discriminate; the men were all warriors to David.
How David looked at all the warriors is how I see the principle of being valuable.
Valuableness is a core principle I ask our staff to practice. I want our staff to add value to you and everyone we connect with on your behalf. I want all to see value, not by a status (deputation, furlough, medical leave, retired, or semi-retired, church planter, education, medical or orphanages), but by their worth to God. If we are in missions together, we are together and not segmented.
In ministry, you will have many people with whom you will connect and contact. Make sure you see everyone as valuable. Make sure you view others as valuable as God sees them.
Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley
If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.