Rev. Don Campbell
1 Chronicles 23-25
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 25, 2019
“ORGANIZATION”
One of the great organizers of the 20th century among churches of Christ said, “Organization makes water flow up hill.” Our readings today can be summed up with one word. The chronicler tell how David organized the priests and Levites for service in the temple which he, himself, would never see. One measure of leadership is how the leader prepares for the passing of the reigns to the next generation.
David did not just organize the priests and Levites, he also gave clear job descriptions as to the roles the various groups would fill. There were certain things clearly ordained by God, such as only the sons of Aaron being allowed to fill the office of the high priest. When I served as an elder at the Lone Oak Church of Christ in Lone Oak, Kentucky, each elder, based on his interests and expertise, lead an assigned number of deacons in that area. An example of how this worked was that one elder was the leader of the buildings and grounds committee. So long as that committee operated within the annual budget developed and approved by the congregation, they had autonomy. As a result, those infamous business meetings in which much is said, but little is done were avoided.
The various duties were assigned by lot (24:5), which casts light on Luke 1:8-9 in which an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, promising him and his barren wife a son: “Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.”
Those familiar with the Gospels know that it was the highly organized “chief priests, scribes, and elders, who were the greatest enemies of Jesus and responsible for his crucifixion.
The takeaway for us might be that while organization is very important to the success of a church or a business, organization does not ensure faithful to the cause for which the organization was created.
CONNECTIONS
1. Grady Reese, a fine elder who has finished his course had a saying, “He jumped on his horse and rode off in all directions,” referring to a person who created a lot of dust but nothing more because lacking clear direction, they went first one way and then another. Are there some people who resist direction and wander from scheme to scheme?
2. It might seem that Solomon eschews organization: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?” (Proverbs 6:6-9). What is he really condemning?
