Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
4 December , 1996 - Singapore
Good Morning!
IN "MINISTERING" TO OTHERS, WHOSE NEEDS ARE BEING
MET?
THEIRS? Or YOURS?
How much of our efforts in "ministry" are veiled,
or even sub-conscious attempts to meet our needs
to be stroked or recognized? Could it be that often our primary
concern with those under our charge is that they show up, conform,
perform, and...well...basically make us look and feel
good?
In the business world, "glitz", bigness, "movement",
image, and pandering to people's whimsical needs is standard operating
procedure. Is it possible that in our push to "succeed"
in our ministries, we have often transferred carnal and pride-driven
methods and values from the "world" into the church?
If that is the case:
- Our ministry has sadly become "market-driven."
- "Feeling better has become more important to us than finding God."+
YOU WILL NOT FIND JESUS DEBASING HIS MINISTRY TO THIS
LEVEL. NOR SHOULD WE.
It is axiomatic that whenever a person is maturing toward full-stature
in Christ (Ephesians 4:13), there is a death to self in the life
of the discipler. Notice the cost to Jesus on our behalf:
"For you know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake
He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."
(II Corinthians 8:9)
Or Paul's sacrifice:
"...I am again in labor until
Christ is formed in you...I die daily...and die to self...I endure
all things for the sake of those who are chosen..." (Galatians
4:19; I Corinthians 15:31b [Amplified] II Timothy 2:10a)
So here is the question you and I must
ask ourselves: "WHAT IS OUR MOTIVATION WITH THE SHEEP
ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE: THEIR MATURITY, OR THE MEETING OF OUR
NEEDS?"
The degree of sacrifice which
you and I are willing to expend on their behalf to bring them
to spiritual maturity makes the answer to the question self-evident.
Few people will take notice of our sacrifice
in ministering to others. But
what difference should that make? Are we not committed first
and foremost to His glory over ours?
"May I never boast except in
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has
been crucified to me, and I to the world."
(Galatians 6:14)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
+Larry Crabb in "Finding God
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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