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By Rick A. Crigger
In our fast paced society we as Christians get wrapped-up in our own endeavors or even our ministry that we miss the bigger picture, God. Could Christians be so involved in their ministry that they become too busy for God? Are we living in a world where it is all about me, and what I can do, rather than what God can do through me? Do we save people, or does Jesus? Christians seem to be taking God out of their lives and replacing Him (God) with idols. These idols are stealing the relationship we could have with God and our brothers in Christ. These idols can even be your ministry for God if that ministry robs you of time you need to spend with God. We need to put away those idols and differences and support one another by actions rather than words. If God was so busy with the world that He didn’t have time for just one person, it would be like us spending so much time in our ministry that we don’t have time for God, or time to reach out to just one. Jesus stayed til the last person left. Do you know any ministers that leave the minute they finish their ministry, or should they stay til the last? After all, who are we in ministry for? |
It is true, we need money to accomplish our ministry. If money becomes more important than the ministry, then it has become an idol. Most people think if you go to church and give your tithes and offering that’s enough. No! God doesn’t need your money why would He, He is God. God is richer than Bill Gates ever thought about being. God only said that He would supply our needs. This includes our ministry. If we spend our time trying to increase the offering, we may be decreasing our ministry. What God wants is your time and undivided attention. God is not obligated to help us or have time for us, but he makes time for us because he loves us. Now if God can take the time to help us, then what is our problem? We as Christians are supposed to be Christ like, different from the world, not part of it. In the secular world it is not uncommon for businesses to compete with one another in dominating the market. This trend seems to have been carried over to the Christian circle as well. Denominations are a good example! Sometimes, one ministry competes (perhaps unknowingly) with another ministry. We are the same church serving the same God for the Salvation of His people. Should Gods people be divided because of their interpretation of the Bible? Short answer, no! God’s people should not be fighting one another. What we should be doing is praying about our differences and asking God if we are right in the way we believe. God will show you if you take time to listen. Our motivation should be what does God want. We are not money driven (like unbelievers) we are God driven. In Luke 16:13 ESV, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other”. You cannot serve God and money. Ministries should be helping other ministries, not working against each other. We are so busy competing with each other that we forgot we are working for the same God! We needed to be more productive with our time because Jesus Christ could come anytime. Distractions are one of the devils greatest tools used on Christians. Distraction can manifest itself into an idol. Did you know that we could make idols out of anything? For example your job; money; television; pastor; church building; etc or anything you spend more time with or think is more important than God.
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