Have you heard of Zabdi the Shiphmate who was one of King David’s servants who served by being over the produce of the vineyards for his wine cellars? I can’t say that his name jumped out at me before but that might have something to do with how I’m often tempted to skip over those long lists of unfamiliar names in the Bible. But over the weekend I have been reading Loving Well by William P Smith. In it he uses I Chronicles 27:25-31 to point out how there is value in the small things we often overlook as acts of service.
And over the king’s treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah: And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash: And over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite: and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai: Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite: And over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David’s. (NLT)
I have never heard a sermon preached on Zabdi or Jehdeiah, the donkey keeper, but yet these men’s names were recorded in history in one of the best-selling books of all times. Not because they defeated giants but because they served in ordinary ways.
Although the world’s eyes are often glued on those whose name are in the limelight let us not forget that we each have been called to serve. And to those you serve, what you do matters despite how ordinary it seems.
Side note: Today’s posts wraps up my participation in the blogging A-Z Challenge created by Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out. Thanks to everyone who has stop by and congrats to all the other participants.
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Wanda, you have preached here. For the last few weeks I have been going back over the book of Acts and so many “little” people (lots of “little” women) and acts of service are all through that book of great drama. Another person, Dorcas, has also had my attention for weeks, and one Scripture has been turning over and over in my spirit: “whenever you are invited, seat yourself last, that whenever he who invited you should come, he may say to you, ‘My friend, come up and be seated’, and there shall be glory to you before all of those who sit with you.” – Luke 14:10. I would rather be last/least now and be honored by God later than be in the spotlight now and find out later that His glory was never on be.
To find out that we’re missing his glory would be devastating. My eyes are definitely going to be more attuned to the smaller acts of service.
Reminds me of the Hymn that says “Little is much when God is in it, labor not for wealth or fame.”
Hadn’t heard than one but the words are so true.
It does draw attention to the smaller acts, that are over looked. I see so many generous acts that are over looked by the big ones! Wonderful ending for the A-Z challenge! I’m so glad I crossed the finish line with YOU! Cheers…where is the Cherry Coke?! ATB ;D
A cherry coke would be nice girl! Congrats on finishing another year.
Well, I guess I’d better go back and read I Chronicles 27:25-31 again in my KJV. I like the small stories in the Bible, because if they are in there, they really aren’t small stories. There’s a reason for the mention!
With all those long genealogical lists is tempting to skip but it does indeed have purpose in being included.
Dear Wanda,
Thank you for the reminder that God is please with good and faithful service. No job is too small. When we do our work well, it it well pleasing to the Lord. Blessings…Susan
You summed it up perfectly Susan.
I like this lesson….ordinary things do matter….I have not heard of those names, that I remember
True, the things we count as ordinary just might mean the world to someone else.
I love this…I need to start paying more attention to the “little people” who are mentioned in the Bible and see what other things there are to learn!
Lessons are all around us but it’s easy to major on the big names.