Without the Aid of Tangible Benefits

by Ron Perry

In a typical church setting, the majority of the ministry is done by volunteers within the church family. They are people who have committed to a task, not because of the cash incentives, the benefit package, or the status that it will give them, but out of a desire to serve the Lord. We often value these people immensely but struggle to find others like them. For some of us, we may even feel it is nearly impossible to recruit competent help without cash incentives, benefits, or other tangible items. However, in I Kings 5 we see a scenario that demonstrates that it is possible to recruit competent assistance for the work of the Lord. Though this text may have some tangible benefits mentioned, the principles are priceless and can be valuable to each of us in ministry. I challenge you to grab your Bible and notice these few principles seen in I Kings 5.

The context is that Solomon, David’s son, is appealing to David’s old friend and faithful supporter King Hiram to help him build the temple. We can almost sense his hesitancy as he contacts a man whom he might not have known well personally but who did know his father well. Another aspect of this story is that Solomon is not asking for some small thing. He is asking for the wood and the labor to build the temple. What an amazing request! So, how did he do it?

Solomon emphasizes that the timing is right (v. 4). He begins by sharing with Hiram that the time was right as a result of what God had been doing in and around the kingdom. Sometimes to just say, “I need your help. Can you help me?” is incomplete. It is helpful for the people being asked to know that the events surrounding the request seem to indicate that the time is right for their help!

Solomon emphasizes that he has purposed to do what God wants done (v. 5). He is not only sharing that this is the will of God but also declaring that He wants to do God’s will too! It can be encouraging to someone who is going to commit to an endeavor with us to know not only that this endeavor is the will of God but also that we are going to strive to purpose to do God’s will too.

Solomon makes a specific request (v. 6). Sometimes general requests fall on deaf ears. Sometimes we may feel hesitant even asking for volunteer help and resort to thinking that says, “Well, I’ll just let God lay it on his heart.” There is great benefit to making a personal, specific request and letting someone know how he can be a part of what God is doing.

Hiram sends word back that goes like this, “I have considered” (v. 8). This implies that Hiram had taken some time to think about Solomon’s request. Sometimes in our busy world of quick e-mails, cell phones, and instant messages, we lose the value of giving a request thought. Sometimes as a manager, I personally find that I fail to give some people time to consider my request and give me back a good, thought-through answer. There is great value to thinking ahead and making requests of people in such a timeframe that they can actually give well-thought-out responses.

Well, what was the outcome? King Hiram agreed to help! He sent back a well-described plan and even made a request in return that King Solomon granted. The materials were brought, the manpower was given, and a temple was built. As I sit back and contemplate the words in I Kings 5, I cannot seem to get out of my mind that it is still easier to recruit people if I offer them tangible benefits to get them to commit. But there is a simple truth in verse seven that I must not overlook. It says there that King Hiram “rejoiced greatly.” In other words, King Hiram received a benefit that came long before any talk of tangible items—the joy of being part of God’s work! Sometimes I forget that the joy of being part of God’s work is far greater than any tangible items that could be given. With that in mind, it gives us managers a little extra incentive to actually request volunteers for God’s work. Why? Because the joy of being part of God’s work is the greatest paycheck out there.

I hope I never forget that there is nothing wrong with emphasizing God’s benefit package as I recruit help. I just need to remember that the benefit package is not always tangible. It is something that no other line of work can offer; it is purely set aside and unique to those who serve God—the joy of being part of God’s work!