Series: Youth for Jesus
Number: Vol. 8, No. 38
“Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.”” (1Sam 9:7-8NIV)
What we have here in our opening bible text is part of the account of some of the things that happened before Saul became king over the nation of Israel. Somehow, the donkeys of his father got missing and he and his servants left their house to look for them. But even though they spent about three days looking for those donkeys, they could not find them. (Cf. 1Sam 9:1-6)
Therefore, Saul told his servant that it was time they went back home. Otherwise, his father would soon stop worrying about the missing donkeys and start worrying about them. And it was then that his servant suggested that they look for the man of God that was living in the place they had come to, so that he may tell them exactly what to do.But then, even though Saul had no trouble with the man’s suggestion, he could not see himself visiting a man of God empty-handed.
Why? The culture of the land at the time considered it insulting for someone to come seeking the counsel or prayer of a man of God without any gift in his hand. And while there is no command in the bible for us to make a culture of that today, it will be a good thing for us to emulate. What I am saying is that it is not only our problems we should be taking to our church leaders; we should also be taking gifts to them, as God blesses us. And God will surely honour us for doing so. (Cf. Gal 6:6)
In any case, when Saul made it clear to his servant that there was no way they could go to the man of God empty-handed, the man immediately told him that he had some money that he could give to the man of God as a gift.
That, of course, was how they both went to Samuel, who had been instructed by the Spirit of God to be expecting them, and God’s purpose was fulfilled in the life of Saul.But the question is, “Why was Saul’s servant quick to tell him that he had some personal money with him that they could take to the man of God as a gift on that occasion?” Remember that they had been wandering around in vain for three days, looking for those missing donkeys.
So, the man must of have been tired and desiring to return home to get some rest.In addition, he was just a servant and the missing donkeys were not his possessions. So, he really had nothing to lose, if they could not find them. But he did not show any form of tiredness or a desire to go back home without those missing donkeys. Instead, he was the one that suggested that they should look for a man of God to help them. Also, he was the one that offered to gift the man of God with some money, in appreciation of whatever help he might offer them.
Why did he act like that? The reason was that Saul must have been a good master to him. Sadly, this same Saul would go on to be a cruel master to David years later. But at that time, he must have been so good to his servant that the man was willing to serve him even with his own money. How inspiring!Unfortunately, many masters, teachers, bosses and leaders today cannot be said to be good to those under their care.
On the contrary, all that can be said about some of them is that they are harsh, cruel and unreliable. They will not show concern for the welfare of those under them. They will not pay them when due. They will not hesitate to take advantage of their ignorance or weakness to cheat them. And some will even borrow money from them and not return it until they fight to get it back.
So, unless God specially touches their hearts, they will never be moved to go the extra mile for such leaders, bosses or teachers or offer them any assistance, if they should be in need.Well, Saul was not like that to his servant that followed him that day. So, the man was willing to sacrifice his own time and money to help him. And that sacrifice led him to become the first king of Israel.
In like manner, the help or sacrifice of those under your care may go a long way in bringing about the fulfilment of God’s purpose for your life too. But will they be willing to make that sacrifice for you? The answer to that may be dependent on how good you are to them. So, be a good master to those under your care and stop making excuses for being cruel to them. That is because you may not know when it will be the difference between progress and stagnation for you.
Cheers!
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