2-52 Voices January 14, 2014

The C3 Leaders devotion is a peer-to-peer weekly reflection from business leaders related to their journey with Christ. Each weekly devotion will be written by a different author from among the C3 Leaders community, 52 unique authors to be exact.

As we go through this next year together, we pray that these words and reflections will encourage you in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

A Devotional from Jeff Rogers, One Accord Partners

What three words would you use to describe?

Work  1.                  2.                     3.

Worship  1.                  2.                   3.

What’s the First “Commandment” given to man?
Work was established by God, before the fall. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Gen. 1:15) This work assignment was given before sin was in the equation. Was Adam awaiting a call to ministry while he worked the garden?

God expected us to enjoy our work! Solomon writes. “That every man find pleasure in his work — this is a gift of God.” (Eccl. 3:13) To ignore being talented, for WHATEVER vocation may be to reject a gift God’s given us. Many people are waiting for their ministry…while they’re in it.

Have you heard this means “full-time vocational ministry,” such as missions, the pastorate or evangelism? This leads many to believe that any other vocation would not be true ministry because it is not spiritual. Think, how many times has this been suggested to you at church or in a non-profit environment?

The Hebrew word used is abad and is often translated as work or till – such as farm-work. Abad is found 254 times in Scripture. In the Psalms it is translated serve (Psalms 2:11) and worship (Psalms 100:2). In Proverbs 12:11 and 28:19, it is translated work.

Physical work is therefore valuable to God. It is a way that we serve and worship Him. Since the word minister means “to serve,” work in the physical world is then a way to minister.
So, the question of ministry or business may be an invalid question. Perhaps we should not think of work as disconnected from ministry. Rather, our work in the physical world is a valid and valued vocational calling. Whatever work you are called to do is your ministry and is a way that you serve and worship the Lord.

So, are you in FULL-time ministry?

Jeff Rogers

If you would like to respond to Jeff by email:  jeff.rogers@oneaccordpartners.com