Is Gospel work a career ?
Is Gospel work a job ? Just a job?
Is Gospel work out of LOVE ?
It is about ministering free gifts of God and of the sons of God.
Gen48 v15 - And he blessed Joseph, and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God who hath fed me all my life long unto this day, -ASV
Gen48 v15 - God who has been my Shepherd all my life- NAS
2Sam5v2 - In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel. -ASV
A guide, a leader, a provider, a caretaker.
A Shepherd is a career person. A caretaker is also a career person.
2Sam5v2 speaks of king David and leader of Israel, the people of God being a shepherd to the people. A life-long career, duty and position.
There is no such thing as "paid hours" and "off duty period". The bosses of the properties and business are expected to tend the business all the time, and especially when there is need and emergency.
It is wrong for salaried ministers to tell people that they are "off duty" or "on vacation". This is legalism. There is also a sense of indifference - the "Can't care less" attitude.
They can at best be having a recess or a break. Only those who are casualities are off duty.
John10 v11 - I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep. -ASV
Christ gives the picture of a sacrificing shepherd; a sense of great duty, care and love.
Hired workers are the good shepherds in this biblical sense. They do not care enough for properties they do not own. they are there to earn hiring only.
The true shepherd has a different agenda. He is not there to earn a hiring. He is there for his sheep.
John10 v12 - He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them:
John10 v12 - words of Christ telling us that being a shepherd is more than just doing a job.
He is not a hireling. A hired person(who is just doing a job) is not a shepherd in the biblical sense.
The sheep belong to the true shepherd. He has ownership. Hired workers do not have ownership of the subjects under his charge.
Hired workers care more for their own welfare. They care less for the properties of the master.
The true shepherd is the master, the owner.
So, Gospel work is more than a job. The overseers are having more than just a job. They are running their own business, caring for their belongings.
John10 v14 - I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, -ASV
There is a union based on identity and knowledge and familiarity between the good shepherd and his sheep.
There is a lack of indifference that a hired person would have.
John21 v16 - .. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. -ASV
. . Shepherd my sheep -NAS
Peter was commissioned to be a shepherd to shepherd to people of God.
A career, a duty, a vocation, an order, a commission.
No negotiation of salary, pay, reward, terms.
No way out.
1Pet5 v4 - And when the Chief Shepherd appears, -NAS
Christ, the Lord is seen and understood as the Chief Shepherd. He is in supreme charge.
1Corinthians4 v1 - Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. -ASV
The Gospel workers are ministers of Christ. Their career is to serve.
Stewards are also workers, servants. Work and duty is the concern. Sonship is put aside.
Our appointed job is to take care of things concerning the mysteries of God. This is not for a gain of money, a fee.
Every worker is accountable to God.
Titus1 v7 - For the OVERSEER must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry(quick temper), no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
The job is for God.
God is love. Therefore, love for this job.
God is light. Therefore, be the light of this world.
God is not stingy. Therefore, do not withold, but give freely.
Freely you received; freely you shall give.
No greed of personal gain, of money, of fame, of excess.
Each shepherd oversee the body of Christ. There are therefore many overseers.
The OVERSEER must be blameless - do this job well! Not just sit in for the pay. Everlasting life is the FREE GIFT of God. You do not work for gain. You work for LOVE.
Luke16 v2/3 - And he called him, and said unto him, What is this that I hear of thee? render the account of your stewardship; for you can be no longer steward.
Christians were stewards in the household of Satan.
You either take care of the household of God or Satan. One slave cannot serve 2 masters. You are of use to God or Satan. Whose business are you dealing with?
1Cor4 v2 - Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. -ASV
There are many stewards, many overseers. They all are required to be faithful. Loyalty is without question.
On the contrary hired workers are not necessarily very faithful; for they work for a fee and not with faith. Their expectation is not fixed with the master's gain and welfare.
1Cor9 v17 - For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. -ASV
Gospel work yields its reward in love and faith with God, the author of all goodness.
Gospel workers are entrusted with a stewardship from God. The aim is to work for the master.
Eph3 v2 - . . have heard of the stewardship of God's grace -NAS
Gospel workers as stewards are in the business of discharging gifts(God's grace).
Gospel workers are not here to make financial/worldly profit with the free gifts of God.
Col1 v25 - whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God, -ASV
Overseers, shepherds are ministers/workers/servants according to the gifts of God. We have not earned our status/position.
Our task is to fulfil the word of God. The word of God is not about making money, although we live according to it. Man does not live by bread alone. We are not here just to make a living, but to deliver gifts from God.
Lk17 v9 - Did he thank the slave because he did the things that were commanded?
Christians are saved sinners; redeemed slaves from Satan, who is the master of sinners (Jn8 v34).
Christians being redeemed by the blood of Christ are slaves of God, slaves of goodness.
Slaves do not make money are hired workers. Slaves do not do things by choice. Slaves belong to the master, and on the master's business.
Many Christians love to claim all benefits of sonship without wanting to work for God who has purchased their souls from Satan and death.
We work first. And reward from the master is to be decided entirely by the master. We do not bargain/negotiate with the master.
1Cor9 v19 - For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. -ASV
Work for the love of God and the brethren.
Be the slaves for God to all people.
Gal4 v7 - So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. -ASV
There is the adoption from above (Gal4v5, Rm6v17). We have not gained it by works.
We have become sons, and owners of the properties of God. We have become the good shepherds who ought to care for the lives of the shepherd. We no longer work for gaining a little salary. All belong to us. We work for our own business. We work for ourselves. We work for God who is in union with us.
All Christians are on the Lord God's business.
Let no Gospel workers claim that Gospel work is exclusively their job. It is the job of all Christians, heirs through God.
Let us share in this task of fulfilling the word of God.
Lk12 v37 - 37. Blessed are those slaves, whom the lord when he come shall find watching:
Be on guard. Be diligent.
Gospel work is not a passtime.
In the secular world many hate their jobs. They do it for gain of money, fame, title, comfort living.
People can work for the love of it. The people of God can certainly work for the love of God and the brethren. It is not just a job! It is life, and the means of life-saving of souls. A precious and glorious task.
In Christ we are more than conquerors.
It is not just qualification on paper. Boast of Christ saves, and Him crucified. Victory belongs to Christ.
Academic qualification depends on personal achievement, not vice versa.
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