“IS YOUR JOB IN A CELLAR”? Lesson 181

God has given every believer a place of service in the Body of Christ (Eph. 2:10, 1 Cor. 12:7, 11). If He chooses you He will equip you for the job, bestowing gifts upon you that can only be supernatural. It is a blessing beyond compare to be chosen, gifted and used by the Lord. Do not pass up this honor with excuses like the one Moses used. Do not be indecisive like Gideon asking for not one but two signs that the Lord was serious. David’s court is listed in 1st Chronicles 27:25-34. Each person was called by name just as God calls each of us by name and keeps track of all we do (Matt. 10:29-31). God arranged all the parts of the Body and we need to stay and grow where He plants us. The king placed each worker where he wanted them and our King places us where He can best use us for His glory and edification of the Church (Eph. 4:10-13, 1 Cor. 12:7, Eph. 4:16). In David’s court there was a man named Joash who was in charge of the supplies of olive oil (1Chro. 27:18). He served the king in a dark, damp cellar, unnoticed by others with more important jobs and most likely never called upon to give an oil supply report before the “court body”.

Oil was very important in the Jewish society. We find in Leviticus 2:1 that it was poured over the grain offerings of fine flour, along with incense. This mixture was burned as a memorial portion on the altar; “an aroma pleasing to God”. Aaron and his sons, priests, were to be continuously furnished with clear oil of pressed olives for the lamps. These lamps were kept burning before the Lord from evening until morning (Ex. 27:20-21). Remember Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins that went to meet the bridegroom? The wise took along extra oil for their lamps but the foolish were not fully prepared to meet the bridegroom. While they were gone to meet their own needs, they missed the open door and were not allowed entrance. The oil keeper had a supply of oil to sell them but their timing was in disobedience to the Lord, therefore the oil did them no good. Not only is the oil essential but the keeper of the oil must be alert and sensitive to the importance of his job (Matt. 25:1-13). Let us not forget the inner-self fueled with oil that keeps our individual light shining (Matt. 5:16). The Psalmist wrote the Word of God was a lamp and a light for his path, drawing from the literal oil lamps that were strapped to traveler’s ankles to light their way along the dangerous, dusty roads. Oil was used in commerce (1 Kings 5:11), as medicine (Luke 10:34) and in praying for the sick (James 5:14).

It must have been hard for Joash to “stay in the cellar” tending the oil supply, but he would prove to be faithful. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). “Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him, and to which God has called him” (1 Cor. 7:17). If you want to always be in the will of God then keep on doing the last thing He told you to do until He moves you. If you want to live a life that is pleasing to God just be faithful in the cellar, tending the oil. The oil keeper’s job was to protect the precious supply from intruders and thieves. We still need to be watchers and wide awake to the devil’s schemes to steal our spiritual oil (Eph. 6:11). Satan will use complacency, apathy, worldliness and quest for popularity to take your eye off the job that God has given you (Eph. 4:27). Anything you are protecting the devil will come after (1 Pet. 5:8), however, the Son appeared to destroy Satan’s work (1 John 3:8) and has given you the power to resist him (James 4:7). The ancient watchmen stood guard with courage and strength through their faith (1 Cor. 16:13) and that same kind of commitment is needed today. Other, not so evident thieves will be those who use smooth talk and flattery to cause you to waver in your obedience (Rom. 16:17-19). Do not let your deeds be found incomplete in the eyes of God (Rev. 3:1-3). The eyes of the Lord are always on you, therefore do your job for the King just as Joash did for his king (Prov. 15:3) and you will receive your reward (Rev. 22:12).

Your job may not be in the oil cellar but may be in an equally uncomfortable place. All of God’s assignments are not pleasant. If He calls you He is showing His faith in you and your obedience shows your faith in Him. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b). God does not like infidelity and will take your lamp stand away if you forget your first love (Rev. 2:4-5). Not much use for oil if you have no lamp stand! You cannot ride the fence and sit on the throne (Rev. 3:15-16, 21)! Work at your assigned job; keep the oil and it will all be worth the effort when the King comes (Matt. 25:21). People may have mocked Joash for having to spend his time in the cellar and people may very well mock you for the job God has given you (Ps. 35:16, Isa. 28:22, Jude 18). They will not always understand you but serve the Lord and Him first and He will pour out His blessings on you (Matt. 10:32, Rev. 22:4-5).

As Nehemiah, you may get a message to come down from your job. If you are serving the Lord, you are doing the greatest work in the world! Do not step down for anything the devil might entice you with (Neh. 6:1-4, 8). It is a special person who will just stay put and serve the Lord even when there is harassment, difficulty, fatigue and when no one notices your work and accomplishments. This is a worker energized by God Himself and strengthened by obedience. “To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22b).

You may wonder why 1st Chronicles 27:25-28 would be a lesson to us today. Remember that these guys were in charge of the storehouses and their contents. The Church is God’s storehouse and servants like Joash represent much of the Church today. Like Joash, many Christians serve the Lord in obscurity, yet the service they provide is absolutely essential in the life of the Church. Joash was JUST the keeper of the oil, JUST working in a cellar but did his job faithfully and humbly. What is your job? Where are you working? How are you doing with what God gave you to do?