Matthew, the disciple that was identified as the tax collector. It was a profession that was despised by the Israelites and for good reason. Most tax collectors collected more tax than was due keeping the difference for themselves. The tax collectors made the life of the Israelites more difficult than necessary. They were despised.

So why would Jesus choose a tax collector as a disciple? What possible benefit could he bring?
Most surely our Jesus looked through Matthew’s eyes into his heart and saw Matthew’s need and his value. Jesus would recognize that Matthew was made in the image of God and this was his value. But what made Matthew disciple material?

I am the very worst when it comes to keeping records. I keep paid bill receipts, Insurance statements and important paper work, but keep a financial record? It’s not happening. Abba God knew I needed an accountant.

Baxter is a meticulous record keeper. He understands and enjoys it. Because of his gifting, people have accurate data for the IRS or the bank or their board of directors. Good financial records and transparency in record keeping build trust and solidifies business interaction.

So living with someone who needs accuracy in their records gives me a little insight into Matthew. He had to keep good records. When he came before the rulers to settle accounts, everything had to be in good order, correct numbers presented or he would be in deep trouble.
I think it was this character trait that qualified Matthew to give an account of Jesus’ life.

Immediately Matthew begins with an accounting if you will of Jesus’ ancestry. Carefully Matthew brings the reader through the generations until the birth of Christ. He painstakingly recounts the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. He tells of John the Baptist and the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, the travels and the teachings, and at the end Jesus’betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. Facts clearly and carefully reported.

Fact keeping and accounting is almost a foreign language to me, but praise our Abba, it was second nature to Matthew. (And my dear Baxter). Without these personalities, so much would be lost.

The first time I thought about Matthew keeping records was reading the account of the feeding of the 5000. With that size crowd, who goes around and counts the men? A Matthew personality. There were only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Who would that matter to? A Matthew personality.

When everyone has eaten and is satisfied, 12 baskets of broken pieces are picked up. Who would make of note of that? The accountant in the group, Matthew. And again in the next chapter, we find Matthew recording that 4000 men were fed.This time there were 7 loaves of bread and a few fish but all were fed and satisfied. And again Matthew records the leftovers. There are 7 baskets left.

We know the number of women and children are not accounted for. Guess that would have been standard accounting for that time. But what struck me was that the enormity of the miracle would have been lost had Matthew not recorded the numbers. That it takes all of us with our different talents and perspectives to make the Body of Christ. That each of us has a gifting that can be used in God’s kingdom. In His Name and for His Glory.

Rejoice that Abba made you just as you are for His very Self…