There's Just One Tier of Believers in the Kingdom!
The body of Christ is made up of many parts; none is more important than the other. (1 Cor 12:12)
Do you really believe this statement? Do you ever feel unimportant in the Kingdom of God? Like who you are and what you do is on a lower tier while others are on a higher one? I sure did. I was so frustrated because I knew I had a call on my life to full-time ministry, but I WAS NOT a fit for being a church pastor. I also knew I was an entrepreneur. I could not reconcile the pull between the two. I thought they were polar opposite callings. Boy, was I wrong!
Modern church culture emphasizes the importance and prestige of working in full-time ministry as a pastor, foreign missionary, or the like. There’s a theological misunderstanding that the top jobs in the Kingdom are missionary and pastor, but that’s simply not true! There is no “tiered system” in the Kingdom of God. All parts are critical. Pulpit Pastor and Foreign Missionary are just two of the critical jobs. We need to grasp that our ministry can happen wherever we go and in whatever we do. Call to mind the familiar Bible verse 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” All. That means all jobs, in all situations.
I don’t want you to waste your time thinking, “I just want to quit my job and go into full-time ministry!” You don’t need to quit your job to do this. You just have to shift your mind to a new way of thinking – as it says in Romans 12:2: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." When we change the way we think, we see the wide world in front of us, the people God uniquely put in front of us to love on and be Jesus to. The people we need to pray for and eventually pray with. The people we need to introduce to Jesus through the vibrant living out of our faith.
This week we pay special attention to you, the everyday workplace believer, and your role in bringing God's Kingdom here to earth. Just because you're not a pulpit pastor or a foreign missionary doesn't mean you're not in full-time ministry. Your workplace is your mission field! And in that mission field, you may be the only Jesus that your coworkers, vendors, supervisors, or clients ever meet. The job that you hold, the work that you do, and the people you work with - none of that is a coincidence! Those around you need to meet Jesus, and you may be their only chance.
So, stop the wrong thinking that you should quit your job so you can go into ministry. That mindset makes you think less of yourself and your giftings, and that's not right. Take the time to shift your thinking to seeing your job as a ministry on a mission field of lost and hopeless people.
Martha and I talk with Charlie Self about tiering in the kingdom in this week's podcast. Be sure to give it a listen!
TAKE THIS TOPIC FURTHER:
Listen to or watch show 2001: You’re a 1st-Tier Citizen
Subscribe to the daily iWork4Him PowerThoughts
About the Author, Jim Brangenberg
Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!