And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben said to Moses, “Your servants will do as my lord commands. Our little ones, our wives, our livestock, and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead, but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord orders.” (Numbers 32:25-27 ESV)
Both
The Tribes of Gad and Reuben had found the joy of a physical home. A place they could produce food, eat, and live. Founding homes is a Godly thing.
And it might have seemed that forming homes would stop them from doing the Lord’s Work. Canaan was still ahead of Israel! Giants needed to be fought! Those nasty Kings needed to be defeated!
How could they stay HOME?
But they could do both. They made homes AND kept doing the obvious Work God had called them to do.
And they DID both. Yes, they started their homes. And they still fought on until the war against Canaan was done.
We might be tempted to make a false separation. God calls every Christian to present the gospel in word and deed… always. But we make excuses. Perhaps we need to finish our secular work, first. Perhaps we need to finish our housework, first. Perhaps we need to do some OTHER things, first.
But we can do both!
The need for food does not prevent us from being the Lord’s workers. We can earn a living, providing bread, while we fight for the Lord.
There is truth to tell, the unprotected to protect, love to be displayed, help to be offered, gifts to be given, words to be spoken… all in the name of the Lord’s Work.
Don’t stop to eat. Eat along the way.