In the kingdom of God… in the field that He owns… we are all called to be day laborers. Too often we think too much of ourselves. We think that we have achieved or arrived. I know that I do. I get to thinking that I am doing a good job. Right about then He is gracious to remind me Who is really doing anything.
It is humbling. I get prideful… puffed up. I sound arrogant… mainly because I am. I mistake the boldness I can enjoy in Christ for a few extra reps on the bench. My strength is my weakness. And my weakness… my strength.
It is pretty amazing how the kingdom of God works. It continues to amaze me that He would choose to use someone like me for anything. I am continually humbled when He uses me where I wouldn’t expect… and doesn’t where I would hope.
But He works it out… He kills of “Mike” and resurrects “Christ in Mike” and then I want more of what He wants.
I read the verses above and, if I am honest with myself, I ask if He can adjust the wage for inflation. A penny can’t get much today. But then I realize something.
“Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.” Matthew 22:19
“And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.” Mark 12:42
Some scholars (or at least those who claim to be) have put forth that a farthing is equivalent to a penny. Whether it is or not… the point is interesting.
The Father is the Householder. He puts us to work and gives us exactly what…
He requires of us.
He gave the laborers a penny… no matter what time they started… as long as the finished… and then He tells us that a penny was tribute. Tribute to Whom? To Him. For He is our King.
If you want to be harsh – which I often enjoy doing – then you have to read the scriptures and realize that there are two offices and one appointment. The offices: The Bishop and The Deacon. The appointment: elders. And it was the Bishop that appointed the elders.
Getting even more specific… the Bishop rules… the Deacon serves the tables… and the elders look after the children.
But that doesn’t sound glamorous so we make it more than it is.
Everything else is a role. It is a day labor. There isn’t an “Office of the Pastor” – that’s a man thing. There is a role to pastor – which means to provide for and protect. There is a role for teaching, for prophesying, and for being an apostle – one who is sent, and for evangelizing.
When we get away from wanting a position and truly seek to serve the Lord in whatever way He desires, not worrying about tomorrow, then we are ready to be day laborers for the Lord.
Everyone in the body is important. Everyone can fill a role. And that role can change from day to day.
But He will give us exactly what He desires for us to give back to Him! No matter what hour of the day we start… so long as we finish.
He wants to put you to work. Do worry about what it is He will have you doing. You can clean toilets for the glory of God just as much as you can preach to the multitudes.
I was blessed to have a great conversation with someone where we realized that the greatest preacher ever to take the microphone would be rendered useless if there wasn’t someone making sure the mic worked.
Don’t try to get the “better position” in the body. You are absolutely critical right where you are.
SDG
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