A JOB . . . or A MINISTRY?

In the Church some people have a job, others have a ministry.

What is the difference?

If you are doing it because no-one else will, it's a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a ministry.

If you quit because someone criticizes you, it's a job.
If you keep on serving, it's a ministry.

If you do it only if it doesn't interfere with other activities, it's a job.
If you're committed to it, though it means letting go of other things,
It's a ministry.

If you quit because no-one praises or thanks you, it's a job.
If you stay with it (even without recognition), it's a ministry.

If your concern is success, it's a job.
If your concern is faithfulness, it's a ministry.

An average church is filled with people doing jobs.

A great growing church is people doing ministry.

If you have a job, give it up and find a ministry.

God does not want us being stuck with a job, but excited and faithful to Him in ministry.

Is Work Your God?

You shall have no other gods before Me. —Exodus 20:3

The ability to work is a wonderful gift, but are we taking it too far? In the past, people left their jobs at the office, but now they come home to e-mail and phone messages.

Dr. Dave Arnott, associate professor of management at Dallas Baptist University, says, "I don't know whether work is taking over family and community, or whether family and community are giving up their place to work. But I know the movement is going on. Everyone's job seems to be who they are." We tend to equate our identity with what we do for a living.

The president of the Families and Work Institute says, "How busy you are has become the red badge of courage. . . . It's become a status symbol," even though people complain about it.

Making a god out of work is not a new problem. In the first commandment, God said, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). That includes our jobs. Through God's gift of work, we can honor Him, care for our families, and help people in need. Work is not to be our main source of fulfillment; that must come from God Himself.

No matter what our occupation, we must keep work in perspective. God and family are more important than dedication to a job. Work is a gift, not a god. — David C. McCasland

It's not the hours you put in,

but what you put in the hours that counts.