Sometime ago, my children joined me to do some church work at home. The younger one said something that I had to gently, wisely, and lovingly correct. She said, in excitement, “We are working for Daddy!” I told them; “No, you are working for God, not Daddy. Daddy is also working for God.” Their excitement and commitment soared as they continued the work; they got the message.
Friend, who are you working for; “Daddy” or God, your pastor or God, your boss at work or God? The concept of kingdom stewardship has to be emphasised in the church today. Quite a number of people are getting it wrong, mixing things up as far as kingdom work is concerned. God is no longer the focus, but man (Ephesians 6:5-8).
For some people, the work of the church is pastor’s work. We are only there to help him. But kingdom mindset says; “The work of church is for every member of the body, the pastor is only there to train and lead us to do it.” When you have a church where all the work is left for the pastor to do, that church won’t grow and fulfil her kingdom calling, and the believers would not also grow (Ephesians 4:11-16).
We are saved to serve, not to be served (2 Timothy 1:9). Nobody is called a spectator or commentator. We are called to participate with different roles and assignments critical to the growth of the body. Our relevance in the body is tied to our contribution, not our position (Acts 13:36, Romans 12:4-11).
Whether in the secular or in church, whatever you do to advance the lives of others or the kingdom must be done as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). I know your boss employs you to work for him. But if you see the work as unto the Lord, you would stop working for salary but for inheritance (Luke 16:12, Colossians 3:24). Inheritance is better than salary.
There is nothing you do for God here on earth that is a waste (1 Corinthians 15:58, Revelations 2:19, 14:13, 20:12). Whereas salvation determines IF you would be in heaven, service determines WHERE you would be in heaven. Kingdom service provides you an opportunity for both earthly and eternal rewards (Mark 10:28-30). You are not working for man.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria