How can we apply the principle of sharing resources in Exodus 12:4 today? The Setting of Exodus 12:4 “If the household is too small for a whole lamb, he and his nearest neighbor are to share, in proportion to the number of people; you are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.” (Exodus 12:4) God literally instructed Israel to make sure no one was left out of the Passover meal. The command protected smaller families, prevented waste, and knit neighbors together around the sacrifice that pointed forward to Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7). Timeless Principle: God’s People Share Provision • No one is to be isolated when God provides. • Resources are distributed according to genuine need, not personal preference. • Participation in God’s redemptive work is communal, never merely individual. Why the Principle Still Matters Today • The same Lord who delivered Israel still calls His people to tangible love (John 13:35). • Every believer belongs to “one body” (Romans 12:4-5); shared resources express that unity. • Stewardship requires that nothing He entrusts to us be hoarded or wasted (Luke 16:10-11). Practical Ways to Live This Out 1. Sunday-table mindset • Invite singles, widows, college students, or young families to share meals after worship. • Plan potlucks so portions match attendance; send leftovers home with those in need. 2. Budgeting for generosity • Build a “lamb line” into the monthly budget—money earmarked strictly for meeting others’ needs (Proverbs 3:9). • Teach children to set aside a share of allowance or earnings for the same purpose. 3. Inventory checks • Twice a year, scan pantry, closets, and tool shed; donate good items that have sat unused for six months (James 2:15-16). • Coordinate within small groups so no one buys what another member is willing to lend. 4. Skill-sharing • Offer trades: car repair for legal advice, tutoring for babysitting, gardening for computer help (1 Peter 4:10). 5. Crisis response teams • Form church “nearest-neighbor” lists for quick action when illness, job loss, or natural disaster strikes (Galatians 6:2). Guardrails for Wise Sharing • Give discreetly, guarding recipients’ dignity (Matthew 6:3-4). • Verify real need; generosity should not enable idleness (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). • Keep Christ central; the gift serves the gospel, not personal recognition (Colossians 3:17). Scriptures That Reinforce the Call to Share • Acts 4:32-35—“No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own.” • 2 Corinthians 8:14-15—“At this time your abundance will supply their need… ‘He who gathered much had no excess…’” • Hebrews 13:16—“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have.” • 1 John 3:17—“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need… how can the love of God be in him?” • Romans 12:13—“Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Closing Reflection The first Passover demanded a lamb shared “according to the number of people.” Our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed once for all; now His people live out that same pattern. When we open our tables, wallets, schedules, and hearts, we mirror the God who made certain no one was left hungry on the night He redeemed Israel—and no one is left spiritually hungry today. |
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