For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ… Ephesians 4:12 (NKJV)
You are called to the work of ministry. But what is ministry? We might think it means full-time pastors, but ministry has a broader definition. Each of us is a minister of the Gospel, and this ministry must go forth into every area of our world.
If we as believers want to influence this world, we must have amazing believers who excel in politics, business, education and the arts. But some believers get uncomfortable when we start talking about success. When there’s a need, they’ll say, “Just pray and God will do a miracle.” Yes, God does miracles. But often, the miracle He does is to raise up people who give, serve and finance the Kingdom!
God has energized you to do something that influences the people around you to look to Jesus. Whatever field you’re in, He wants you to rise up with excellence and increase in every way.
And there is a purpose behind your success that is bigger than you. In Luke 19:13, Jesus tells us to occupy until He comes back. He doesn’t mean for us to live mediocre lives or hide in church, scared of a big, bad world. There is a harvest to bring in—precious people who do not know how much God loves them.
The bottom line is that one hundred years from today when we’re gone, someone else is going to be leading our churches and reaching the lost. Our methods of getting God’s Word out may change, but the church of Jesus Christ will not be stopped. We have a responsibility to increase, succeed and pass on our faith to the next generation!