Armorbearers International

Have you wondered if your service to God matters in the large scheme of things? Really, have you wondered who cares? I can say without any doubt in my heart; God cares about your service. Even if sowing your seeds of service has simply been handing a glass of water to the least of your brethren, your leaders, your flock or your family it matters to God. 1

He cares so much he wants to reward you for it. What do you think of when you hear the word 'reward'? Many think of ministry gain, job promotion, montetary gains, etc. And some even think of heavenly rewards. They all sound good; but it's really up to God about the rewards. I just know He rewards the righteous, his good and faithful servants.

But wait! Before you stop reading, I've learned a principle I want to share with you. That principle is: If you take care of God's family, His house, His business he'll take care of your family, your house and your business. He promises to be Jehovah Gmolah in your life if you sow your service into the Kingdom of God. Jehovah Gmolah is the Lord of Recompense, the One who pays you back. 2

You may remember King David and how he wanted to build God a house. But God told him he couldn't because he had become such a man of war to conquer the kingdoms God wanted him to. There was too much blood on his hands before the Lord. He went on to say he would allow his son Solomon to do it because he would be a man of peace. Now this is the part I want you to pay special attention to; God also told King David that he appreciated his heart so much to take care of His house that He would build him a house an everlasting house-a dynasty even. 3

Then there's Cornelius who was such a big giver into what is close to God's heart (the poor) that God sent an angel to help get Cornelius and his whole family saved. The Scripture describes him this way, "a devout man and one who feared God with his entire household, who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God always." He operated in almsgiving so strong it had come up before the Lord as a memorial. 4

Father God has even proven this principle in my own life. Years ago, I was a new Christian. I know some of you can relate to this. I had such a burden for my family to be saved, delivered and walk in the fullness of God. But they wouldn't listen to me. Not one bit. So, I thought anyway.

You know how it can be; our family can be too acquainted with our past sins. Or they are just plain too familiar with us to hear the Word of God through us. Remember when Jesus (who was sinless) went back to Nazareth to minister to his village and neighborhood family. Skeptically, they were saying, "Isn't that Joseph and Mary's son? We know his brothers and sisters…"5

So this is where I was with my family and new commitment to God. No matter how hard I tried I was getting nowhere with them. Finally, I was on my knees crying before God about my family. Some of us as baby Christians can be so dramatic but sincere. Anyway, I was going on and on about it in prayer. Then I heard clearly from the Holy Spirit, "Do as Rahab did!"

Since, I was a baby Christian I didn't exactly know what Rahab did. I stopped my crying and got up to find out. To make a long story short, about 40 years or so after God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, there was woman name Rahab who lived on the wall of a city called Jericho. God had given this city to the Israelites. They had to by faith conquer it and possess it.

Joshua, Moses assistant before he died was now leader of God's people. God had given him strategies to lead the people in conquering the city of Jericho. Joshua sent in spys to access the land and people. Rahab risked her safety and possibly her family's safety by helping the Israelite spys escape when the King heard they were there.

In return the Israelite spys made an agreement with her for helping them. When they returned to take the land they would spare her and her family if she had them with her in one specific place. Well, the Word of God says Rahab was there and her entire family; they were all spared as the Israelites took the city. Bible historians report she married one of the spys which is how she ended up in the genealogy of Christ.6

I don't know how your mind works; but when I read that I immediately begin to gain respect for Rahab. If your family is anything like mine, they can be pretty stubborn at times. So how did she get her whole family to be in one place at the same time? From the story, Rahab may not have been the most respected person in the family.

She was said to be a prostitute; so her past may not have spoken well of her. Nevertheless, she had them all in one place when the spys arrived. So none was lost; that statement alone made me want to do what Rahab did. I too wanted none to be lost in my family. 7

After thinking about this story awhile, I realized what Rahab did was use her faith in God. She followed his instructions through the spys. Her part was to receive the men of God in peace and help them gain access to the information they needed. And her part was to help them escape when the time came. In a similar way, our part is to help the House of God wherever God has called us. And stay attentive for his instructions or promptings when an opportunity comes to influence our family.