As part of my personal readings of Scripture, I've recently been in the book of Numbers. As I read through chapter 4, it reminded me of all who serve in some way at Providence. In that chapter the LORD told Moses to take a census of various families in Israel. To the sons of these various families the LORD gave certain tasks regarding the tabernacle. The reason God did this is because the tabernacle had to be set up and then disassembled every time the Israelites moved throughout the wilderness.
To the Kohath family, God gave the job of taking down the covering and the ark, putting out the dishes for the table of showbread, cover them, putting them away carefully and transporting them, as well as the lamps, the golden altar, that is, 'the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.' (4:1-15, esp. v. 15)
Eleazar's sons were responsible for the lamp oil, incense, grain offering, the anointing oil, all that was in the sanctuary and its furnishings (v. 16). Gershon's sons were to carry the curtains of the tabernacle and its covering, a door screen, the hangings of the court, cords and furnishings (vv.24-26). Finally, the sons of Merari were to carry the board of the tabernacle, its bars, its pillars around the courts, with all their furnishings and all their service (vv.31-33). These seem like mundane things, don’t they? But they enabled the children of Israel to worship their God!
Granted, these men were the sons of Levi and therefore it was their calling to serve in the ministry of the tabernacle and sacrifices. In other words, not all within Israel had these duties. In addition to men such as this, the Holy Spirit previously gifted certain men with gifts of artistry in order for them to construct the tabernacle. Hundreds of years later, the prophet Joel spoke of a time at which God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, the sons and daughters of Israel, who would prophesy, dream dreams and see visions (Joel 2:28,29). This would be fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, during the days of the Apostles (Acts 2:16-21). While some of the gifts given in those times were temporary (1 Cor. 13:8-10), many remain with us in the Church today. In fact, Paul was able to tell the Christians at Corinth that each one of them had been given a 'manifestation' of the Spirit, or, a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7). Again, the Apostle will show that some of those gifts were revelational, and as such, were temporal (1 Cor. 13:8-10). Some of the gifts were those of administration and mercy, that is elder and deacon. But all Christians have been called to serve one another, and the Spirit, who takes up residence in every believer, has gifted every Christian for some aspect of service in Christ's church (Eph. 1:13,14 with 1 Cor. 12:7).
Today, we may not be in the wilderness, packing and unpacking the tabernacle, but we are the temple of God, walking through the wilderness of this life headed towards the Canaan above, the true promised land (1 Cor. 3:16; Hebrews 11:8-16) All Christians are kings and priests to God, a royal priesthood, saved by the blood of the lamb to offer spiritual sacrifices to Him! (I Pet. 2:9-10; Rev. 5:10) This in no way detracts from the offices of the church, but enhances our collective service within the church.
Therefore, when you set up or tear down for worship, set up audio equipment, record the sermon, assist with music, bake casseroles, help with the nursery, pray for the brethren, or teach a class, you are exercising the gift that Christ by His Spirit has given to you. Christian, what is your gift? What do others see in you as a gift of God, a way that you serve Christ's church well? As you chip in with service to the Lord and His church, perhaps in ways that seem insignificant, be careful that you 'do not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not' (Gal. 6:9). When you give a cup of water, do it in Christ’s name in service to Him (Mt. 25:44-46). If you don't know how Christ's Spirit has gifted you, consider what that might be, in what way you joyfully serve the church well and receive such confirmation from others, seek it out with the guidance of your elders, and serve in His name as we march towards the Canaan which is above!