Excluders vs. Expanders
Jealousy

Scripture Reading: Numbers 11:26-30

Key Verse: Numbers 11:29

But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”

In our scripture lesson for today, God had sent His Spirit down to rest on the elders over His people.  When the Spirit came upon them they all prophesied.  However, there were two men that, even though they were not listed on the “elder’s list,” started prophesying as well.  A young man named Joshua came running to Moses to tell him about these two men—declaring that they should stop!  Moses replied with a question: “Are you jealous for my sake?”  Moses continued by telling Joshua that he wished all the Lord’s people were prophets!

            The Bible is clear: God is generous with us and He wants us to be generous with others!  God hates the prideful exclusive attitudes that people have—especially when it’s in His own people!  Jesus came beating that same drum; expand, don’t exclude.  When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, a portion of that prayer said: “forgive us of our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12).  But Jesus didn’t just make that statement in the prayer, He commented on just that portion after the prayer.  “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15).  The bottom line lesson: Be generous with people around you!  Let’s determine to have attitudes of expanding God’s kingdom, including every single person we can!

Father, remind me when I start to get selfish or exclusive in my attitude.  I want to be generous with others as you have been with me.  In Jesus’ name, amen.