Gifts of Service
1 Chronicles 23:4-5 David divides the families of the Levites into groups doing specific duties in the tabernacle. Like the Levites, we all have gifts for specific purposes in the church.
4/25/20261 min read
David said, “Of these, twenty-four thousand are to be in charge of the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.” 1 Chronicles 23:4-5 (NIV)
Now that the tabernacle had a resting place and that Israel was at peace, David divided the Levites into specific groups for orderly temple service. He had a group that did the work of the temple, which included construction, maintenance, and general temple operations. Another group work handled administrative and judicial matters within the temple community. The gatekeepers were responsible for guarding the temple entrance and ensuring access was controlled. David included the musicians in this group because music and praise was essential to Israel's relationship with God.
Like the temple in David's time, there are other positions in the church besides those that teach to keep the service orderly. We have the people who do the yard work, clean the bathrooms, and the church building. The church has people who do the admirative work to keep the lights on in the church, and there are those that make sure the church is a safe place to go, greeting people at the door or directing traffic. These positions may not be in the spotlight, but they are just important to God and the church community. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."
Choose to help out in the church wherever you are called. Picking up trash after service is just as important to God as teaching in the service. Both positions is a gift of service to the church, and God looks at the heart. No matter what you do, as long as it comes from the heart, God counts it worthy. Talk to your pastor and see what gifts of service you can give to the church. Remember to think about those who work in the background and thank them for the service that they give to the church and to God.