The story is told about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to do and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody would do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Sound familiar? Sadly, this scenario is lived out in many churches today. Most people in the pews think that the ministry of the church belongs to someone else.
But that isn’t God’s intent. According to Ephesians 4, the works of ministry (contact with the world) and building up of the body of Christ (maintaining the health of the church) belong to all believers in Jesus! It isn’t solely the job of the pastors or the hired staff. The whole congregation is supposed to minister and serve. Anything less than that is a distortion of what God intended the church to be.
“He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7). God has gifted each of us uniquely to make sure that “the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:16). In other words, there are no spectators in church. Every person has a part to play.
With hundreds of millions of Christians in the world today, that makes for hundreds of millions of opportunities for the wonderful, life-changing power of Jesus Christ to be presented to people of all levels and classes of society. Let’s all do our part in the body of Christ today. It’s our job.
More:
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Next:
How has God gifted you? How can you use your spirtual gifts in ministry and in the building up of the body of Christ?
pri1465 on October 31, 2010 at 5:37 am
At my husband’s factory all the workers except one and me are buddhists. I don’t preach to them or try to convert them. We pray everyday in the morning. I have told them that I’m not trying to convert them but that I have to pray and place the factory and all of them in God’s hands and that they can pray to any God they believe in. Every morning I give thanks for the new day and pleace it in God’s hands. Pray for them, their families, and the work that we have to do, for any problem that we have and for wisdom and guidance. I don’t preach to them. But if they are in need I help them in anyway I can. They have seen how much God has done for me. But I feel I could do something more. but I don’t like to preach as a child and teenager I had religion poked down my throat until I became cynical because all those who preached one thing and lived a different way from what they preached. So I strayed away from God, but God lovingly drew me back to Him. So though I tell other about God what He has done for me. I don’t llike to push others of another religion to convert?
Is this wrong?
jeGeddes on November 10, 2010 at 3:26 am
It is definitely not wrong not to push them verbally, but it can be an idea to. You see I’ll be the sort of person that would just walk up to people and tell them about Jesus. I have been known to be in very big verbal battles, defending the faith. What I am saying is that you don’t have to over do it, like I do, but an equal balance between actions (living christian) and words (maybe telling a testimony, or inviting them to an outreach night) is a good idea. After all, often I have payed the price for been too verbal. No one likes a nag, and once you tell everyone your a christian, they will look for every little thing you do wrong, to try and put you down.
Invisible on November 10, 2010 at 7:33 am
JeGeddes,
The last sentence in your post is bugging me. You’re right, there are some people who will look for ways “to try and put you down” when they find out you’re a Christian. Not all people, but some. I was one of them and at times I still am. I apologize for that. Problem is that many times people form an opinion about all members of a group, race, faith, etc. based on experiences with perhaps a few people affiliated with that group. Not saying that makes it ok, just that there’s usually a lot more going on inside of a person that leads to this, than is recognized or understood through their words or actions.
Brianbenyosef on October 31, 2010 at 6:52 am
Dear pri1465 I believe that just by helping others, and showing your love of GOD and them you are doing the work of GOD. Whether you “preach” to them or not, they will see GOD in you. Since I found Jesus I never raise my voice or use harsh words with my co-workers and they know my beliefs. So they know Jesus by knowing me. Hang in there and GOD will show you the way to their hearts. GOD bless you and stay faithful!
Daren on October 31, 2010 at 7:58 am
pri1465, You are doing the work of the Lord by just your actions. You are praying and I think just by not pushing Christ on them that shows a lot. Often times Christians will try to push Christ at non-Christians in an attempt to convert them. This is not how Jesus intended it to be. I do hope that everyone @ the factory would be changed but, sadly most won’t. I commend you on being such an inspiration!
Ciera on October 31, 2010 at 9:30 am
I agree that it is important for everyone to participate, but I also think we must be careful of over-generalizing. In my opinion there is often a ‘nobody’ who tries to do everything to make up for eveyone else, and that is what is most dangerous. Those ‘nobody’s try so hard and yet the people around them are cynical and focus on how everyone else isn’t doing anything and forget about the one who is helping. I also personally believe that serving and helping in the church should be done out of love and good will- not obligation to look like a better Christain. I think the church will fall apart if everybody does everything simply to prove their worth because then salvation ceases to be grace and becomes something we still have to try and buy.
mags on October 31, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Ciera, I think you have missed the point of todays devotional, When it says nobody did it, it means that the jon did not get done! i.e. we can’t sit back and wait for others to do things. We are all part of the body of Christ and must all work together in our differnt roles and with our different talents to promote His kingdom, not for recognition for ourselves but for the glory of God. There is no way we could ever do enough to earn salvation – it is a free and merciful gift from God and all we need to do is accept.
Ciera on November 1, 2010 at 12:04 am
mags I don’t think I missed the point. I’m just saying that there are times I listen to people complain about how no one is doing this or that, when in reality I am the one who is volunteering and doing it. I tend to be the “nobody” who did do it. I definitely agree we all need to work together though.