THE SIN OF A CENSUS

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 20-24

"But Joab replied, May the Lord increase the number of his people a hundred times over! But why, my lord, do you want to do this? Are they not all your servants? Why must you cause Israel to sin?" 1 Chronicles 21:3 NLT

David had finally become king over Israel.

He wore the crown. He had the support of the people. He stood in the role God had anointed him for many years prior.

Then a seed for an idea was planted in his head. A census.

There is nothing sinful, unbiblical or ungodly about a head count...unless there is a strain of pride involved in the counting.

David wanted to know the extent of his personal power. He desired to know how many people served him. He wanted to know the 'balance in his bank account'. He sought to hold a balance sheet in his hand that accounted for every man old enough to fight.

So without God's approval, he called for a census.

His friend, and trusted adviser, Joab called him out on it. And not only called him out on it, he called what David was about to do, a sin.

A sin!

That's harsh. That's specific. That's hard to ignore.

But David did ignore it. And David, and the people of Israel were punished for it.

My prayer, for myself and for you, is that we surround ourselves with godly people who will call us out. Who will use their position in our lives, their influence on our minds and their closeness to our hearts to call sin sin. Folks who will help us in our spiritual walk with the Lord, not just be a spectator from the sidelines.

And that we will listen.  

And turn from sin.