Someone has said, "God knows only two types of math, addition and multiplication." That may be the theory of a church growth guru, but it is not true. Division sometimes multiplies, and subtraction sometimes is pruning for growth. Today we want to talk about dividing to multiply.

Wearing Out
Back in the Old Testament Moses example reinforces that principle. Moses was a one-man-show until his father-in-law, Jethro, saw the foolishness of his Lone Ranger strategy. Wisely Jethro urged Moses to enlist the help of others in his ministry. His observations were correct; "What is this thing you are doing to the people? This thing you are doing is not good. You will surely wear away (literally, ‘fading you will fade") you, and this people with you. This thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself." (Exodus 18:14-18

Together, Not Alone
He was advised to set up other wise and godly men to share in the ministry. (verse 21) You see God’s intention is never to have solo servants. God ordained a team ministry for all of his ministering servants from Jethro to Jesus. In the very same context, one chapter later in Exodus 19, and verse 6 God declared, "You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."

Moses was discouraged.
The people complained to him day and night. He cried out the Lord concerning the burden of his ministry saying, "Did I give birth to them that I should carry them in my boom? I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me." (Numbers 11) Then the Lord commanded Moses to take seventy elders of the congregation to the tabernacle with him and God would take of the Spirit that was on him and put it on them, and together they would bear the burden of the people.

11. He asked the LORD, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12. Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? 13. Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, `Give us meat to eat!' 14. I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now--if I have found favor in your eyes--and do not let me face my own ruin." 16. The LORD said to Moses: "Bring me seventy of Israel's elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.

24. So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. 25. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again.

A Wish Comes True
In Numbers 11:19 the Holy Spirit come on Eldad and Medad, two elders in the congregation, who prophesied. Joshua was outraged and told Moses to rebuke them. His response to that revealed Moses evidently learned the lesson. "And Moses said unto him, Are you envious for my sake? Would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"

26. However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. 27. A young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." 28. Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them!" 29. But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"

How do you eat an elephant? One small bite at a time.

How to you lead a thousand? A small group at a time.