Table of Contents
The Right Sort
It’s one thing to a good thing; it’s quite another to the right thing. Many do good works, but are they doing the right ones? And who determines which ones are good, or right for that matter?
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Beware of those things that appear to be good; but in reality, they are a detriment. Maybe not everything that seems right will lead to death, but they could lead to burnout, or even loss of rewards (more on that in a moment). How many times have we thought something would be good to do, but it didn’t have a very pleasant outcome? Has anyone ever suggested you do something and you acquiesced, only to find yourself regretting the decision?
People suffer burnout, and even feel resentful when they take things on, which they were never called to do in the first place. By and large, most don’t want to let others down when asked to do something. Some have a harder time saying no than others. In some cases, there are co-dependency issues. For now, let’s focus on what is right in the sight of the Lord. Because that is the bottom line: the right things are what pleases Him. If we serve God, we will serve others well in the process.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
This is a great verse to meditate on if you happen to be one who wrestles with people-pleasing.
Tried By Fire
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
It pays to step back, and take personal inventory with the help of Holy Spirit in order to see what’s in your heart and what motivates you. The things done with the right heart will lead to building with gold, silver and precious stones. Conversely, impure motives build with wood, hay and stubble. The outcome is obvious; however, without the periodic pause, it may not be so apparent as to what is actually driving you.
Here is a simple question to ask yourself: for whom am I doing this? Dead works are self-centered and self-powered. They are void of faith, and in some cases, void of love. For instance, some do things for others to gain affirmation, or to feel better about themselves. In those cases, the action taken was more them than the others. A work of faith is based on love, which in turn makes it a labor of love.
If a person is building a personal empire in the name of ministry, you might say the building materials are wood, hay and stubble. Even if others benefit. You get the point.
Secondly, the one attempting to do Kingdom work in his or her own strength, would also be using wood, hay and stubble as building materials. Kingdom work involves faith, which works by love. A work of faith requires hearing and hearing by the Word or God (see Romans 10:17). In short, it is Spirit-led.
It’s important to realize God has a place and calling for you in His Kingdom. If you labor according to this principle, you will be using gold, silver and precious stones. In the end, you will be rewarded accordingly; even though, your motivation is not the reward. Perhaps, especially so.
Is it Size, or is it Sort?
1 Corinthians 3:13 … the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
Is God interested in the size of the work, or what sort it is? Take care to not confuse God’s view of success with the world’s. They’re not the same. God gives to each of us according our ability. Regardless of the size of the work, it’s our faithfulness that counts.
A person whose ministry is well known, infused with millions of dollars and has a large audience or congregation is no more important than the one who disciples a single individual. This is especially true if the former has been building a personal empire. That’s not say those with larger platforms are not doing what is pleasing to God. Perhaps, Matthew 7:21-23 will underscore this point.
Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
These try to make it sound as if they’ve been doing good things; however, that’s not the way the Lord sees it. When He says, “I never knew you,” He makes it clear they were not intimate with Him. What they did was not because they loved Him. Jesus’ Name and the gifts of God work, even if the individual is a jerk. Here’s another verse of Scripture to underscore the importance of love.
1 Corinthians 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of Him.
God knows everyone intimately, but He’s not intimate with everyone. Those who love Him seek to please Him. Their works are the result of their love for Him. They’re not trying to earn His love, nor affirmation of others. Their building materials are gold, silver and precious stones.
