From BST Numbers by Raymond Brown pg.39
" The three clans were counted, and the best years of all the men from 30 to 50 years of age were given for service in the work at the Tent of Meeting (4:43). The Lord ensured that every man was assigned his work and told what to carry(4:49). There was no place for ambitious scheming, a competitive spirit or quarrelsome rivalry about their duties. All were to work in harmonious relationships with one another and in dutiful submission to their colleagues, the priests. It anticipated the interdependent and mutually supportive relationships that were meant to characterize the early Christian churches. Sadly, this noble and enriching ideal was not always evident in the subsequent history of either Israel or the church. "
Some passages from NT to prove these points: -
1 Cor 12:4 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body. 1 Cor 12: 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
Eph 4: 11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[b] and teachers,[c] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[d] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
1 Peter 4: 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Ryan: Well, you don't have to read John C Maxwell's book to learn about 360 degrees leadership... it is already in the bible! we are to submit to one another - to leaders, to peers, to those under us. It is indeed a sad scene over at the evangelical camp these days. Too many egos, too many people thinking they are the saviour of their ministries. It is a problem with this generation as well: "who are you to lead me?" We are a generation who well- don't like to be told what to do! We think we know better than others and even those above us. It is a terrible thing to do. Too many church schisms and splits to prove that devil is well at work among us....
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