“Here is the list of the tribes of Israel and the territory each is to receive. The territory of Dan is in the extreme north. Its boundary line follows the Hethlon road to Lebo-hamath and then runs on to Hazar-enan on the border of Damascus, with Hamath to the north. Dan’s territory extends all the way across the land of Israel from east to west.“

There is a difference between having a territory (like sales people or franchisees might have) and being territorial.  Territories are a good idea as the demarcation gives us clear swim lanes as to what our work responsibility is and isn’t (knowing what isn’t our is maybe more important than what is).  But, because we have territories does not mean that we must become territorial.  Inevitably, someone steps over a boundary either willingly or unknowingly.  We have to discern which it is, but our first reaction does not have to be that we were trespassed upon. It is said a good fence makes a good neighbor. That might be true but the fence isn’t the one deciding the definition of what is good.  That would be on us.

Being territorial is the opposite of what we are taught to be ones who bring glory to God through our work.  Those who are territorial display selfishness, divisiveness and jealousy.  As we know from Galatians 5:20, those are the rotten fruits.  Let’s consider today how we are balancing our work lines and responsibility areas with guarding against becoming territorial in our attitudes.

Reference:  Ezekial 48:1 (New Living Translation)