Joshua 18-20; 1 Cointhians 9

Joshua 19:9

The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah, because Judah's portion was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah.

Judah already had their inheritance defined. Then Simeon, one of the seven tribes who had not yet received theirs takes(or is given) some of Judah's land as their own. All kind of questions about fairness or legality popped into my mind when I read this. Judah's portion had already been declared. Wasn't the previous declaration of the boundaries already binding? Did they feel wronged by having some of their land taken back and given to another tribe? This says Judah had more than they needed. So is does verse mean it's okay to take from somebody if they already have more than they need? (Gee, doesn't this relevant in our current political debates over taxes and the battle between the right and the left?)

I am so very blessed. Compared to the rest of the world, I live in luxury and abundance far in excess of what it takes to meet my daily needs. Do I work hard for what I have? Yes. In some ways that makes me feel like I deserve it because I have earned it. Do I want any of it taken away from me and given to another? Not by force and given to just anybody. But the bottom line is that God is the source and owner of it all. My inheritance isn't land or money or material abundance. And I don't even deserve the eternal inheritance He gives me. If I am depending on Him to supply my daily needs, He has promised to do that. Perhaps everything else in excess of that is just resting with me under my stewardship until another tribe is ready to receive their portion. And holding it with an open hand allows the true Owner to easily do as He wills with it all.