Faith
Have you ever considered the contrast of mindsets between a job and a mission?
I assert that a job is rooted in self-sufficiency, which opposes the pleasure and stated will of God to provide for the children of His Kingdom.
Encarta Dictionary -
job (noun): paid occupation—an activity...that somebody does regularly for pay…
Hmmm. Let’s look at another definition from the same dictionary -
prostitution (noun): the use of a skill or ability...usually for financial gain.
This is in contrast to a mission which carries the notion of being sent with whatever is necessary to carry out a specific objective. A person on a mission has been equipped to do their task, even if by faith alone!
Mathew 6:24, "No one 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."
Encarta Dictionary -
mission (noun): diplomatic representation abroad—a permanent diplomatic delegation in another country.
delegation (noun): the giving of some power, responsibility, or work to somebody else.
My intent is not to offend, but to educate; and, we ought to despise what is evil. The Bible teaches that every believer is an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5:15-21).
What ambassador do you know that pays his/her own rent? There are none. Ambassadors are sent and given full support to represent. I heard a delightful thing on a cartoon that my children were watching, “An ambassador may not have to pay rent, but he has to go wherever he is sent!” It is taught that the needs of an ambassador are not worthy of his attention, so that he may remain focused on that which he has been delegated to do.
Do you see the perversion that comes about when an ambassador ceases his preeminent duties in order to spend time on the menial tasks of ensuring that he has a roof over his head and food on his table? That’s somewhere between ludicrous and treasonous, and certainly shows utter contempt for his country of origin that has lovingly entrusted him with work on behalf of their government.
How are you spending the time God has given you? Have you forsaken the world’s way of living in order to live in the Kingdom of God as an ambassador for Christ?
Is it possible that you have been so caught up with a job mindset that you have totally misaligned your actions/time and missed your mission, with all of its benefits?
Romans 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
Would God send His delegates without fully equipping them to focus on their duties?
Evaluate your priorities and forsake your life lover of God. In doing so you will discover that which has been hidden, your true and glorious life in Christ. This is your first duty.
PART TWO:
Are we all called to live the same experience? For instance, I have said that I am called to live by faith alone and God has provided some weighty evidence that trusting Him to provide everything necessary for life and godliness is materially practical.
Are we all called to quit our jobs, leaving everything behind to walk with Jesus?
What of, let’s say, a judge? Is he called to live by faith alone? Is he to forsake being a judge because the government gives him a paycheck?
The judge IS called to live by faith alone, but his walking that out will look different than another's journey. There are people who are gifted by God to administer true justice in a secular and governmental environment, at all costs. There’s a key, “at all costs.” These people flourish in making righteous judgments and will not compromise what they know to be right, even if it means losing their paying job. These “called” judges stand for what is right. They likely recognize their calling and enjoy it immensely. They probably think, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this!” You see, they are not doing a “job” for money and their values have been established, remaining firm to accomplish their "mission" - administer true justice [in the sight of God] at all costs. They are not persuaded by money (or their financial needs) whatsoever; otherwise, they would be serving their need and not justice.
Likewise, are not all Christians called to uncompromisingly serve God? I say that we are and it is in remaining firm in the righteousness of God through Christ, wherever you are at, that the mighty hand of providence will determine your placement. I believe that God has created each believer to live in the same attitude that I have outlined above. A sort of, “I’d do this with or without the pay. It’s not about the money; it's all about the mission!” There is true, unshakable stability even through whatever takes place in the American economy because the thrust of provision for that [divine] mission will come from what is unseen, not what is seen. The provision is forever connected to the mission and nothing can stop it. The Kingdom of God will always continue to expand!
I’m reminded of a passage where Paul urges believers to stay in whatever occupation (I like that phraseology – we are to ever increasingly posses/occupy the earth) they were working in when they gave their lives to Jesus, “Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to” (1 Cor. 7:24). In the wider passage the apostle makes it clear that this is a wise and general recommendation. There are those who will shift for proper alignment, but it is my belief that God wants to install kings (believers, for Christ is the “King of kings”) in every area of secular marketplace. He will call many in that environment for the purpose of expanding the Kingdom of Christ, making righteousness manifest everywhere.
“See, a King will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm…” (Isa 32:1-2).
Come Kingdom come! Manifest Christ - manifest!
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