"Successful Bartering"

“Successful Bartering”

In my previous article “Journaling” I described a method of personal devotions I’ve used for several years which I’ve found beneficial for my daily walk. I choose a Bible book, read a chapter each day, jot down a key idea, then go through the book again. God has used some overlooked portions of His Word to bring His truth to me in unexpected ways (my sore spiritual toes attest to the value of this approach).

Not long ago I was reading of Solomon’s gathering supplies for the construction of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem recorded in 1 Kings 5. Some of the materials and skilled workers required for the task weren’t readily available in Israel so Solomon went to Hiram, the king of Tyre, to provide what was lacking for the project. In turn, Hiram had some needs and made a request to Solomon: “I have received the message you sent me and will do all you want in providing the cedar and pine logs. My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food for my royal household.” (1 Kings 5:8-9). The bartering worked and each received what was lacking. (So “fair trade” was practiced 3000 years before it was a political football.)

As I read this passage it struck me that the church resembles a bartering system. The Apostle Paul writes, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has a different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5, NLT, emphasis added). Just as Solomon and Hiram needed what the other had we as God’s people require others’ strength where we’re lacking. God makes this provision through spiritual gifts (divinely bestowed abilities to serve Him and His church). Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all (people).” (Note the involvement of the three Persons of the Godhead in this process.)

Each of us has been uniquely equipped to be barterers in the fulfillment of God’s purpose. Will I (and you) be available to do my (your) part?

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan