Hushai wanted to help David – David said “If you come and help us out, you’re going to be a burden.” This sermon is about how to be a blessing instead of a burden to one another.
2 Samuel 15:32-37 KJV
And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: [33] Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: [34] But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. [35] And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. [36] Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son ; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. [37] So Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
1) The sincerity of burdened people
Hushai the Archite was sincere in helping David. People who will be a burden to the church are not those who cause problems, or are backsliding.
A lot of people look at the good works they are doing and that makes them blind to their weaknesses. The way to not burden the church is to think about how others would feel. Ask, what can I do to be a blessing instead of a burden to others? An example is pastor giving 50 bible verses in one bible study session. He could be busy and to cram 50 bible verses in one session is a burden, not a blessing. Another example is a man who was on fire and started street preaching on his own and he’s aggressive. So he got noticed by the cops and finally implicated the church as well and shutting of the ministry.
Look at how other people are reacting to your help. Pay more attention. Look and listen.
2) The shunning of burdened people
Sometimes, wanting to help out people is a sign of pride. Find something else to be a blessing at.
When the pastor says “No, not now” – we do not need the reason. To be quiet and to just do nothing – if this is what the other person wants you to do, then this is a way of being a blessing. Sometimes, God grows you through waiting on the Lord.
3) The shame of burdened people
David told Hushai how he could be a blessing – be a counselor to my enemy who took my throne. We cannot pick how we are to be a blessing to other people, because this is our own selfish desire. We do not want a lowly, shameful position.
4) The service of burdened people
People who become a burden to the church are those who do not understand service. How can you be a blessing to the person if you can’t get along with them? Try to do this in order to maintain unity – just get outside of your world view, look at their point of view, whether in church, family or couples.
Become humble and remove selfishness. Understand what loving the other person means – it’s about sacrificing self for them, not about how you feel. Think about why don’t other people get along well with you.
5) The solace of burdened people
The burdened person can turn out to be closest friend. Don’t be the person who is looked up on at the church, be the solace of the pastor.
Sometimes the person who would be a burden turns out to be the person the church needs.