We have some great friends back in Chicago who have influenced our lives for the better. Their godly wisdom in parenting, ministry, and marriage have encouraged and challenged us over the years. I clearly remember one teaching moment, in particular, when they were admonishing their young son about his loading up on “free” packets of fast-food condiments.
David candidly said, “son, if it’s NOT yours, it’s not YOURS.” That simple, but profound, phrase has stuck with me in so many situations of life – don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you.
King David took some things during his lifetime that weren’t his: another man’s wife, the innocent life of her husband, and then there is a census. David took a poll.
What could be so harmful about counting people?
First, in ancient Israel, a man was only allowed to take a survey of what belonged to him. God had made it clear that Israel was His alone and was to be owned by no one. David was trying to claim ownership.
Secondly, taking a census revealed another of David’s weaknesses: self-sufficiency. By counting able-bodied men for war, he was assessing and seeking assurances of victory in battle.
Over the years, David had forgotten his bold words as a young shepherd boy, facing Goliath and fearlessly declaring, “This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 14:47) God owned that Philistine and that battle.
When we forget who God is, we are tempted to think more of ourselves than we ought. We want to count and take the credit for our talents, accomplishments, and our successes. The very things that we know actually come from God and are for His glory alone.
I also find myself tempted to count the numbers. Whether it’s on my blog or the sales of Orphaleena, I fight the urge to assess my own efforts and revel (or cringe) with the total number of likes or sales.
So, I must ask myself, do I truly believe that every good gift, like writing, comes directly from my Heavenly Father (James 1:27)? Do I believe that the battles I’m facing are in His sovereign hands? That He is more than enough to be victorious? If the answer is yes, then I need to stand firm in these truths and resist these common, yet destructive, temptations.
Perhaps you’re struggling today with taking things that aren’t yours – whether it’s an ownership issue or a self-sufficient lifestyle. Please take a moment today to read and reflect on King David’s Census in 1 Chronicles 21. God’s Word is filled with men and women; heroes of the faith who have gone before us and learned that if it’s not yours, it’s not yours!
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