3 Insights into our Attitude toward Others

Read 1 Samuel 30:7-31.

Once David "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" he then took step two in facing this heartbreaking situation.  He went to his spiritual leader in order to seek God's direction.  With assurance from God to move forward, David and his men went after the Amalekites to rescue their wives, children and belongings.

Along the way, God provided a sickly man, left to die, who gave David the details he needed to locate and attack the enemy.  The Amalekites surely thought David and his army were far away fighting as an ally with the Philistines.  While they celebrated, David launched a surprise attack and recovered absolutely everything and every one who had been taken from them.

Not all the men in David's army were up for the fight physically, plus they would have had provisions for the 600 in his army.  In order to move quickly and decisively, David left a third of his army behind to take care of themselves and what supplies they had with them.  Upon their victorious return, we discover that not every soldier in David's army was a godly man.  Some were "wicked and worthless fellows" (v.22).  They did not want to share the spoils of the battle with those who did not go to the fight. 

Here David demonstrated his wisdom as a leader.  He treated everyone with dignity, respect, and appreciation.  Notice his response in verse 24.  "For as his share is who goes down to battle, so shall his share be who stay by the baggage.  They shall share alike."  That statement became a statute for the nation of Israel to follow. 

3 insights into our attitude toward others.
1. One of the indicators of a sinful heart is selfishness.
2. One of the indicators of a godly life is generosity.
3. One of the indicators of a good leader is equal appreciation for those who serve in support roles in the organization.