Take this job and change my view of it!

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine, which you have been following.  

Application: This is where we see the greatest difference between a “job” and a “call”. Often seen more acutely in churches wherein the government practices congregational rule, and the Pastor can be “voted” out of his role as shepherd. A pressure that has caused some good men to compromise and even lose their integtrity for fear of losing their job and not being able to supply for their families. That pressure, though understandable, stems from a shallow or low understanding of the “Call” of the shepherd or lay person who names themselves Christian, according to the Word of God.

Initially, we must know, it is not our jobs, that supply the money needed for our family, it is You Lord. Though, You may use our job, we must never become dependant on our job, that is an error, and a form of idolatry, exactly what the enemy wants. Regardless of the job, accounting, a lawyer, painter or the Pastorate, if we depend on that position to support our needs, we are denying Who You are Lord and we set ourselves up with the enemy to be pushed into some sort of compromise that will shame Your name Lord. I have witnessed this often enough, and have never seen the compromise worth it. I also am glad to say that many times I have witnessed the other side of this story, when children of God have refused to compromise their stand for You, just to keep a job. When they take a stand, see the power of God and then witness how You provide. Sometimes the heart of the individuals involved are changed by You and they remove their demand on the believer that refuses to compromise. Other times the believer loses their position only to see You supply in a miraculous way! Everyone without exception has ended up in a better position for his or her life style. Not always more money or greater title, but they enjoy the position more and see a new quality of life that was not there before. 

I am saddened that more children of God do not look at their positions as a call. That word seems to be reserved for vocational ministry only. Nothing is “more untrue” according to Scripture. What ever a child of God is created to be and do in this life is a part of God’s call on that individual’s life. It is so easy to fall into the trap that our job is what supplies our food and shelter, yet if we could see that our job is where You called us to minister for You Lord, we would bring a much needed discernment to how strategic our job may be in Your plan to see us bring others the good news of Christ. In doing this, it is also very easy to make any vocational ministry some sort of mystical call, it is not. You have called some to be involved in ministry actively throughout the week, while You have called others to be involved in “non” church work, but they are actually ministering for You in the market place. All of us should remember that wherever we spend our days, it is You that has called us there, and we should never compromise Truth to keep that position. You will always protect those that stand for You! The Shepherd that stands for You and is voted out of that position, will not cease to be a shepherd and will experience You leading him to another position, while at the same time experience Your joy and approval for his convictions! No job can give that! 

Meditation Questions: Do you see your job as something God called you to? What does your answer show? If God showed you the job you have is part of His plan for your eternal investment how would that change how you approach your job? Have you ever compromised your standards to keep a job? What did it teach you? Have you ever lost a position or been denied one because you refused to compromise your standards? What did it teach you? WE say that God will supply our needs, how do we prove that?