Thursday, November 29, 2007

The Ennoblement of a Secular Vocation

My career to vocational ministry came not long after my transition to Christ, during my fresher twelvemonth at William Penn State. That phone call was so compelling that I can retrieve wondering then how other Christians could see a "secular" career to be an option for their life's work. "How could a individual be a Christian and be majoring in concern or instruction or biology?" I thought to myself. I was soon off to Book School.

Thankfully I've expanded my position a small since then, and I now recognize that Supreme Being doesn't name everyone to be pastors, revivalists or missionaries. So allow me not blow another sentence before I state it: For the true follower of Jesus who is not called to vocational ministry, "secular" work is a sacred calling, an look of his or her love for God. To divide the sacred from the secular is sacrilegious. Alice Paul wrote:

Whatever you do, make your work heartily, as for the Godhead rather than for men, knowing that from the Godhead you will have the wages of the inheritance. It is the Godhead Jesus whom you function (Col. 2:23-24).

The branchings of those two poetries are many.

Whether you are a mill worker, flight attendant, engineer, waitress, accountant, homemaker, carpenter, concern director or owner, you should use yourself to your career with as much devotedness as any revivalist or curate makes to his work, witting that yours is also a high career to glorify Supreme Being in what you do. Those who do, regardless of how everyday their undertakings might be, are not among the battalions who are "leading lives of quiet desperation." They travel to work each twenty-four hours with a purposeful joy, honored to function the King of the Universe. They rinse dishes, pushing pencils, ship goods, work out problems, pull off employees, learn students, and stopping point trades to "feel His pleasure"-in the words of Scots smuggler Eric Liddell of Chariots of Fire fame.

But one can only "feel God's pleasure" when one makes his very best using his God-given abilities. And one must make his work with as much unity as is required by Supreme Being of the curate or missionary. There are not two standards, one for curates and another for those workings in the marketplace. So make your work with integrity! Eric Liddell is most remembered, not for his gold decoration or his speed, but for the fact that he would not go against his scruples and tally on Sunday. He desired the congratulations of Supreme Being more than the congratulations of men, and Supreme Being honored him for it. The Godhead is keeping much closer track of how we gain our life than how much we gain for a living. Christians should be the most dependable, honest, hardworking, conscientious, fair, considerate people in the marketplace. When they are, they at least partially carry through their career to be the salt of the earth, glorifying their Father in heaven.

When you work with unity and excellence, you can also be bold for Jesus. I cognize of Christians in the workplace who are unafraid (and respectful) in sharing the gospel, and they acquire away with it because they are held in such as high esteem. They are good at what they do, indispensable employees and well-thought-of bosses. Their lives are a life testimony to the powerfulness of the gospel. As was said by St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, usage words." "Walking the walk" gives us the right to "talk the talk." Otherwise we are not "witnesses" but "nit-witnesses."

Even Alice Paul Was A Tent-Maker for a Time

You have got probably heard the phrase, "Tent-making missionary." That is a missionary who gains his ain life using his God-given skills, and not from the offers of God's people. That is how every Christian workings in the marketplace should see himself or herself. Your occupation back ups at least one missionary-you! Your occupation is how you back up your ministry. If you are going to work each twenty-four hours to gain money, you are going to work for the incorrect reason. You are an apostle of sorts, helping to carry through the Great Commission, going into all the world, and likely to a portion of the human race that Supreme Being is sending only you. Your ministry is unique. Get up each twenty-four hours to reflect your visible light in the darkness!

Of course, one's work can go one's idol. Be cautious of that (see 1 Toilet 5:21). Writing to workaholics, Solomon said, "One manus full of remainder is better than two clenched fists of labour and striving after wind" (Eccl. 4:6). Regardless of what you believe about the Sabbath under the New Covenant, it was based on the fact that even Supreme Being took a twenty-four hours off after six years of work (see Gen. 2:2-3). And during those six days, He didn't work nights! (see Gen. 1:23). You've probably heard what Seth Thomas Edison's married woman said when he yelled to her, "Honey, I've invented the visible light bulb!" She yelled back, "GREAT! now WOULD YOU PLEASE bend THAT thing OFF AND COME TO BED?"

Bosses who Serve

Christians in topographic points of authorization in the workplace should not bury that their authorization is God-given (see Rom. 13:1-4). They should thus utilize it to function His interests, using their influence to work for justness and mercy, two things that are extremely of import to Supreme Being (see Matt. 23:23). The regulation of pollex is simple: "Treat others as you desire them to handle you." If that regulation were followed, it would be the end of the development of people for profit. Every corporation would have got some sort of net income sharing program that would include all employees, even those outsourced in developing countries. Many American CEOs would do much less. (That is my opinion, but this is my article.)

It is possible to be a righteous concern person, but like Job, you may have got to have your ain company if you don't desire to be unequally yoked with the iniquitous or work other people. There are modern times when standing for righteousness will intend occupation expiration or forsaking profits, just like a missionary mightiness be incarcerated or thrown out of the state where he labors. Be willing to pay the terms to follow Jesus. Better to be terminated and trust Supreme Being than to sell your psyche for less than it's worth.

The Few, the Proud, the Clergy

What motivated me to compose this article was the lower status composite that I often happen among the "laity," whose lower status is often fortified by the high quality composite among the "clergy." In some circles, the clergy are elevated to a topographic point of royalty among us, ranking particular treatment. "Touch not mine anointed, and make my Prophets no harm" (Psalm 105:15) is a favourite verse. The plebs down in the church benches should stand up in awe of these exalted leaders.

The Bible, however, makes not back up this sort of attitude. All true trusters are functional members of the organic structure of Jesus (see Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-26). Every member is of import and valuable. There really is no value-distinction between clergy and laity.

And I've noticed that the reward of all the "special people" are supplied by the regular folks in the day-to-day grind, earning wages by the perspiration of their brows. Jesus Of Nazareth Himself was supported by such as people (see Saint Luke 8:1-3). His ministry depended on them. So all curates and ministry today depends on those people. (And that is how it is supposed to be; see Saint Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 9:6-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18). Without the tax-payers, the Marines are less than Male Child Scouts.

Additionally, it is those in the work force, not those in the "ministry," who are supplying the money to care for the orphans and widows. (Vocational curates who make help widow women and orphans can make so only because of the money they have from those in the work force.) It is those in the work force, not those in the "ministry," who are providing nutrient for the hungry and shelter for the homeless. This promotes their career to a very high place.

So is working in a "secular" community lesser than the career to be a oracle or pastor? We should not bury that Jesus Of Nazareth spent four modern times as many old age as a carpenter than He did as a vocational minister. His Father said, "This is My darling Son with whom I am well-pleased" at the stopping point of those many old age He spent earning reward in the work force...and before He began His public ministry. I believe there are many children of Supreme Being with whom He is well pleased who are fulfilling their careers in the marketplace. Hats off to them all! Their wages is great in heaven.

"The Ennoblement of a Secular Vocation" ©2007 Saint David Servant and ShepherdServe.org. You are welcome to repost this article as long as the article is unchanged and kept in its entireness (with all golf course and credits attached), and is not sold for profit.

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