A Job or A Ministry???
(I thought this brief devotional challenge would give us all some time to think about our motives for serving the Lord as we head to church this morning.)
Do you have a JOB or a MINISTRY???
Check this perspective. Some people have a JOB in the church; others involve themselves in a MINISTRY. What's the difference???
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a JOB.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a MINISTRY.
If you quit because someone criticizes you, it's a JOB.
If you keep on serving, it's a MINISTRY.
If you'll do it only so long as it does not interfere with other activities, it's a JOB.
If you're committed to staying with it even when it means letting go of other things, it's a MINISTRY.
If you quit because no one praises you, or thanks you, it's a JOB.
If you stay with it even though no one recognizes your efforts, it's a MINSTRY.
If your concern is success, it's a JOB.
If your concern is faithfulness, it's a MINISTRY.
The average church is filled with people doing JOBS.
A great and growing church is filled with people involved in MINISTRY.
Where do you fit in??? Where does your church fit in???
If God calls you to a MINISTRY, don't treat it like a JOB.
If you have a JOB in the church, give it up and find a MINISTRY.
God doesn't want us feeling stuck with a JOB,
but excited and faithful to Him in MINISTRY.
Author Unknown
Labels: Christian Walk, Devotional
posted by Jim @ 7:44 AM
11 Comments:
I'm reminded of the following verse: I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
Bro. Jim,
Thanks for this post. I needed the reminder. Sometimes we forget, we need to serve our Lord in ministry rather than just doing the job.
Yours In Christ,
Bro. Rod
Bro. Juan and Bro. Rod,
Thanks for your faithful comments on my blog posts... we are in trouble if we do things in our own power; we must allow God to work through us. If we do, we will be ministering to others!!! If not, then it becomes a drudgery of a job.
Amen!! I'm so glad that my husband sees pastoring as a ministry. If he saw it as a job he'd have quit a long time ago. It isn't easy dealing with people int he church and the things that come with pastoring...but he knows that God has called him to do it and that God has him here for these people to serve them. It sure does make all the difference. You can see how he enjoys the ministry God has given him too...because he knows that this is where God wants Him and there is peace and grace in doing GOd's will.
Thanks, Bro. Jim.
This will be in our church bulliten sometimes in the next couple of weeks.
Jeff
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a JOB.
That is a statment to remember.Somtimes I have filled in at the last minute to help with the 2nd -5th grade Sunday School class when no one has but I can remember this statment
If you stay with it even though no one recognizes your efforts, it's a MINSTRY.
Thanks
By the way-thanks for sharing your anniversary trip with us in the blog world.
Bro Jim thanks for sharing this with us. I have been on both sides of the fence. It is a whole lot easier serving in the ministry than as a job. I thank God that he counted me worthy to be in the ministry. Just wanted to let you know I am still around even though I have scarced.
Bro Tim
Julie, Jeff, Tammy, and Tim,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on this post... I see that everyone has a desire to have a ministry from the Lord... rather than a job in the church. AMEN!!! Let's all serve the Lord in the local church in which He has placed us, ministering to others!!!
This is so applicable to any Christian - any job can be a ministry. One thing I hate seeing is when a ministry becomes a job so some believers! That is what I see sometimes at the Gospel Mission. I will post this at the Mission as a spiritual exhortation to keep the right focus. God bless.
Bro. Jim, you may appreciate these studies on my blog. They sure have been a blessing to study out:
Paul's Final Exhortation To Timothy - Part One - The Preacher And His Preaching
Paul's Final Exhortation To Timothy - Part Two - The Preacher And His Living
Part Three - The Preacher And His Reward - coming on Friday, Lord willing.
Bro. Jerry,
Thanks for sharing the links... I'll be sure to check them out soon!!!
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