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.
Read more articles by Robert Totman or search for articles on the same topic or others.