How can we apply God's orderly distribution to our church community today? Setting the Scene “As for the rest of the tribes: from the east side to the west, Benjamin will have one portion.” (Ezekiel 48:23) What God’s Orderly Distribution Reveals about Him • He decides the boundaries • He provides equally—each tribe receives “one portion” • He preserves identity while promoting unity New Testament Echoes • 1 Corinthians 14:33 — “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” • 1 Corinthians 12:18 — “God has arranged the members in the body, each one of them, just as He desired.” • James 1:17 — “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Principles for Our Church Community • God assigns ministry spaces; we don’t grab them • Equality of worth, diversity of function • Clear boundaries guard peace and contentment • Grateful reception replaces envy Practical Ways to Live It Out 1. Inventory God-given gifts and ministries; list them publicly so everyone sees the full spread. 2. Match members to needs by prayer and consensus, not personal lobbying. 3. Rotate responsibilities so no one “tribe” hoards influence. 4. Publish budgets and decisions—order thrives in daylight. 5. Celebrate each group’s “portion” in services: testimonies, reports, commissioning. Guarding Against Common Pitfalls • Comparison: Galatians 6:4-5—focus on “your own work.” • Turf wars: Philippians 2:3—“In humility consider others better than yourselves.” • Overextension: Exodus 18:17-23—share the load as Moses did. Fruit We Can Expect • Unity without uniformity (Romans 12:4-5) • Contentment that disarms jealousy (1 Timothy 6:6) • Peace that showcases the gospel (John 17:21) God’s precise borders in Ezekiel assure us that He still orders His people wisely today. When the church submits to His allocations, the community flourishes in harmony and purpose. |
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