"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

April 8, 2016

When one works hard for the Lord, it's essence is to give rather than to receive and the goal is for God's greater glory. Paul and his ministry has set an example to follow as he follows the goal of all ministers and ministry- Jesus Christ and His words and works. When we establish a ministry it is saying you're working for the Lord. And we ought to work hard for God because working alone cannot ensure the attainment of our goal but when we say working hard, you don't just put your whole efforts in it but your whole self in that matter you are pursuing- your mind and your heart are in it completely. You are passionately engross with the works you have in the Lord but in all these we know that God looks at the heart more than the works we do to or for Him, right? And so, what truly pleases Him is that you are able to work hard for Him because the force that makes you do such and have this great devotion to Him is for the sole reason that YOU LOVE HIM... that's the kind of workers God is looking.

Working hard in the Lord is passionately loving God... for your actions will then be an overflow of what is in your heart. And that pleases God above all.

And now we go to the two points about what ministry is all about in this passage,

One. Ministry is about service and sacrifice.

"...you must help the weak... It is more blessed to give than to receive."

To be blessed is about giving and setting your mind ready to help those in need.

If you look at the life of Jesus, our Lord, He said he came to minister not to be ministered... in ministering others He was opened to various kinds of people who are in need of Him, and he taught, preached and healed a lot of people during His ministry. He even died for our sake, just to give us life eternal through faith and i believe He is still in the business of saving lives through the life of His beloved follower/disciples up to this day. He is the same yesterday, today and forever... Jesus did it too through Paul and Peter's life ministry.

Two. Ministry grounded and rooted in the Word of God.

"...remember the words of the Lord Jesus..."

In whatever we establish in God's name its foundation should be Jesus Christ for there's no other God given foundation other than the Word who became flesh full of grace and truth. The Word of God has the final authority over us, not just our reference because the Word is God. This is needed in order for our ministry to reflect God's image that will ultimately please Him.

This is really essential for the work we do in the Lord will be in vain if we are not grounded and rooted in the Lord, because it is not by our will but by God's will in our lives. Everything we do is not about us... it is about God. The core of our being, our ministry should shout the praises of Him and should worship the One who gave us life. And we can't do that if we are not grounded and rooted in Him, in the love we have for Him. As we dwell in His Word the Spirit of God will then move in our lives that will give life to our ministry.

To God be the glory!