How can we apply the diligence of Shitrai and Shaphat in our work? Setting the Scene “Over the herds that grazed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite, and over the herds in the valleys was Shaphat son of Adlai.” – 1 Chronicles 27:29 These two names flash by quickly, yet God chose to record them forever. Their quiet diligence still speaks. What We See in Shitrai and Shaphat • Specialized assignments: one for the coastal plain of Sharon, one for the inland valleys • Responsibility for living assets: large herds that fed the nation and financed the king’s work • Trust from leadership: King David placed critical resources under their oversight • No spotlight, only faithfulness: Scripture offers no exploits, only their names and posts Scripture’s Broader Call to the Same Diligence • Colossians 3:23–24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being… it is the Lord Christ you are serving.” • Proverbs 27:23 – “Know well the condition of your flocks.” • Luke 16:10 – “He who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.” • 1 Corinthians 4:2 – “Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” • Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Translating Their Example into Today’s Workplace 1. Embrace your assignment • God sees value in every role, whether glamorous or hidden. 2. Know your “herd” • Understand the details of your project, team, or household just as a herdsman knows each pasture. 3. Guard resources diligently • Treat budgets, equipment, and time as if they were the king’s herds—because ultimately they are the King’s. 4. Cultivate steady faithfulness • Consistent, uncelebrated reliability honors God more than occasional bursts of zeal. 5. Aim for fruitfulness, not fame • Shitrai and Shaphat are remembered not for titles but for trustworthiness. Let results, not recognition, be the goal. 6. Report upward with integrity • David needed accurate information; today’s leaders need honest updates. Clear communication is part of diligence. 7. See your work as worship • Every task, filed memo, balanced ledger, or mended fence is service rendered to Christ Himself. Practical Steps for the Week Ahead • List the specific “herds” God has placed under your care. • Schedule a brief daily review: “What needs feeding, mending, or protecting today?” • Identify one area of drift or neglect and address it immediately. • Set a measurable standard (time, accuracy, quality) and track it for seven days. • End each workday thanking God for the trust He’s given, however small it seems. Encouragement to Keep Going Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The herds of Sharon and the valleys fed Israel because two men stayed faithful. Your diligence can nourish many more than you imagine. |
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