Plunder!

From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; (Exodus 35:5 NIV)

　

Last week we went to see a movie called “War Horse” which was set at the beginning of WW1! I won’t give away the movie plot but it had to do with the battles that were fought and the plunder that was taken. We don’t often hear the word plunder but it means to take anything of valuable that was left after the enemy had been defeated. After they had killed or run off the enemy they would gather weapons, ammunition and in the case of the movie, horses! They would take those things that would benefit them in the battles to come.

I have fought some battles in my life and I’m sure most reading this blog has too! Some fight daily pain from a chronic condition, some have battled cancer and still some battle hatred or unforgiveness. Maybe you are warring against temptation, the bible tells that we all have been tempted by the devil. Do you have any advice for those who might be tempted as well or could you come along side them in prayer with Godly understanding? What ever we are battling or have battled we can take plunder from the foe. What did you learn? What truth did you discover as you suffered in battle? Was there a scripture that held you firm as you battled?

In Exodus after the Lord set Israel free from slavery, Moses instructed the Israelites to ask their masters for gold, silver and jewels and they willing handed them over. They literally plundered the country by just asking. These former slaves who had nothing found themselves carrying off all the wealth of Egypt.

Later God instructed those people who wanted to share, to bring their offerings to build the Tabernacle. This free-will offering was more than enough to build the Tabernacle to honor God! In other words they reinvested the plunder for good. What kind of plunder can be reinvested in our lives? How about the pain of divorce, is their someone going through the same thing you did that is desperate for someone to understand their hurt? Can you give the hope they so need? If you had a bad childhood, can you take that pain and turn it around for good to help a lonely child? Can you show them God’s love? Have you suffered from disease that turned your whole perspective around to where you can minister to those hurting? Whether I mentioned your particular battle or not, we are all in a battle of some kind. We might even say why me, Lord but as God brings you through don’t forget the plunder. Bring your offerings to build up the brothers and sisters and in doing so we honor God.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11