Numbers 4:15
“And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.”
The work of the LORD is the most important work in the world. There are many important jobs in this world, but none deal with the souls of men like the church. This is why everyone needs to be involved in church work.
In the verse above, God showed the children of Israel who would be responsible for different tasks in the tabernacle of the congregation. God makes a statement concerning the sons of Kohath, “These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.” When God called their work a “burden.” He was not saying that it was an encumbrance, but He was saying that this was their part in God’s work. God is teaching us several things that will help you and your church.
First, God is saying that everyone needs to share in the load of the work of the LORD. It should not just be a few people doing all the work in the church, but everyone needs to find their part in the work of the LORD and do it. God sent you to your church because you have a part where you can contribute; so, be a contributor and not a spectator.
Second, you are still accountable to authority. Just because you have a duty in your church does not mean that you don’t have to answer to anyone. The sons of Kohath were given a part in the tabernacle, but they still answered to Moses. You may have a duty in your church, but you still must answer to your pastor concerning your duty.
Third, your part should be heavy enough to need God. You will notice that God called it a burden. In other words, don’t just be satisfied with one task, but get involved in the work of the LORD to the point that you need God to help you carry your burden. When we get to the point where we think we can carry the burden of God’s work ourselves, then we are going to fail. Your load needs to be heavy enough so that you always have a dependency upon God to get it done.
Fourth, your part needs to be a burden upon your heart. In other words, do you have a burden for what you do? What you do in your church should consume you. It should be you! The bus worker should have a burden for his bus route. The Sunday school teacher should have a burden for their Sunday school class. The church greeter should have a burden to be sure that people are properly greeted. Let me ask you, do you have a burden for what you do? This is what changes the urgency of God’s work. If everyone in the church had a burden for their duties, then nothing would be done in a second-rate manner.
Christian, be sure that you are carrying your load in your church. God brought you to your church because He knew you could have a part in carrying the load of that church. Don’t make someone else carry your load. When everyone is carrying the load of the work of the LORD, then the work of the LORD will mightily go forward.