‘God wants workers not shirkers,’ that’s what a visiting minister told us one day in his sermon. Sadly, the case in too many churches is that too much is left to too few workers. This was never the way it was intended to work. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:4 that there are varieties of gifts and God expects us to use them.
There are varieties of ministries, 1 Corinthians 12:5. Some people have a real knack for one to one relationships and welcoming people, but ask them to play the piano or do some up front job and they would run a mile. Others are happy to use their gift to play musical instruments or to lead singing but are not so good on the one to one relationships or in caring for others.
Others have the gift of service, Romans 12:7. They are great at making cups of tea, cleaning the church, doing flowers, helping elderly with shopping etc. Other people are great at finding just that encouraging word to speak when a person is feeling down. Making friends or hospitality, relating to children or helping others out practically and/or financially are other gifts. Still others are faithful and regular in praying for others and have a real ministry of prayer. Nobody might see what they do, but people sure see the results.
Then there are those who have the gift of teaching or of prophesy. These are valuable gifts in God’s sight. But with the gift of teaching comes the responsibility to teach God’s Word correctly and not to teach only part of it. Those who are teachers of God’s Word are held accountable. They will be more strictly judged by God for what they do with God’s Word and how they teach it, James 3:1.
Each person’s gift is given by God, not for our own glory or edification but for the common good, 1 Corinthians 12:7. We don’t get to choose what gift we have. God chooses that, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:11. God just wants us to use whatever gifts he has given us, so we are workers not shirkers.
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