#secularwork #workenvironment #ministry
LABORING WHERE AND WHILE YOU WORK – What is Ministry exactly?
TEXT: Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people” – GNB
INTRODUCTION –
LABORING WHERE AND WHILE YOU WORK – What is Ministry exactly?
What exactly is “MINISTRY”? And what does “SERVING THE LORD” entail? Am I less a servant of God if I am called of God to teach pupils in a public school than teaching Sunday school in Church? Lack of clarity on this matter has created tension in many believers between what is sacred and what is secular. The result is a lack of effectiveness and fulfilment in both.
THE W. W. W. OF WORK
Working, in any field of endeavor, for a believer means much more than just a professional engagement. The Lord meant it to be more.
Work as WORSHIP
A believer recognises that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above. The skills, talents, wisdom and even tools with which we work are His. Giving them back to society in service is essentially an act of worship and appreciation to God. (Col. 3:23)
Work as WITNESS
In any given generation, less than 12% of believers are engaged in “full-time” ministry. The vast majority are in “secular” pursuits. The Lord strategically places them in there to be His witnesses, as salt and light, to those who may never otherwise encounter a witness.
Your work place, therefore, is your platform to showcase the character and values of Christ. It is thus your mission field. You are God’s ambassador in your work place (Mt. 5:16; 2Cor.5:20)
Work for WAGES
God designed work as a means to bring fruits and income to sustain us and fund His work. (1Tim.5:18)
_Part of God’s covenant blessing to his children therefore is to reap fruit out of our labors (Psa. 1:3; 128:2; Zech. 8:12)
PROSPERING AND PROFITING FROM OUR WORK AND LABOURS REQUIRES I. C. E’:
° Integrity -Gen.39:2-6; Dan. 6:4
° Commitment – Prov. 22:29; Eccl. 9:10
° Excellence – 2Chron. 31:20-21; Daniel 6:3
CONCLUSION
Wherever God places a believer is a place of trust to labor such that God’s kingdom will grow and not suffer loss (Daniel 6:2)
Your ‘secular’ calling is your mission field, therefore LABOR WHERE AND WHILE YOU WORK!
