Second Place in God’s Economy
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Thankfully, we live in a time when Christ-followers are beginning to understand that our work — everything we do in our day-to-day vocations —has eternal value.
Authors like Jordan Raynor continue to show us that God’s purpose and plan for his children means that our work matters for eternity. Books like Essential, a devotional for faith-driven professionals, remind us that we matter in God’s economy.
And yet, some people still have a fixed mindset.
At a men’s gathering, an attendee asked me, “Are you in ministry or just a layman?”
Just a layman?
That’s like asking, “Are you a human or an evolved caveman?”
For a believer sincere in their desire to align their time, talent, and treasure in the marketplace with God’s plan for reconciling people to himself, that’s a naive question.
Some people choose to work in the marketplace, some choose to work in a professional ministry, and some choose both because it provides for their family (a high calling) and fulfills their soul. Some ministry professionals have side hustles (God’s call to create) that fulfill a passion that ministry doesn’t.
There is room for every expression in the church, the body of Christ.
I admire those who pursue ministry, especially when their passion for sharing Christ’s redemptive work with people compels and drives them to take entrepreneurial risks.
I am One with the Force; the Force is one with me*
Like a Jedi*, I calmed myself before I responded. After a pause, I answered that I serve God in the marketplace. We don’t have to justify our careers as designers, executives, business owners, trade professionals, or managers.
Questions like that allow me to explain the difference between calling and purpose.
If people are going to value ministry more than vocation, I will gladly sit at the foot of the table. I would rather be second in God’s Kingdom than first in a false hierarchy.
The persistent teaching (implied or overt) that God places a higher value on ministry over other vocations is false. It’s a veiled pride, an attempt to build up one’s sense of relevance by devaluing work that isn’t seen as “spiritual.”
Whatever you do
Shouldn’t we rejoice in whatever work or vocations God invites each to as long as it glorifies Him?
Many people don’t understand what calling means. As a believer, you are called to belong to Jesus Christ. That’s your Calling, with a capital “C.”
Over 40 years ago, God called me to follow his Son and invited me into a career as a designer. (Unless you ask the Lord to confirm your path through a specific answer to prayer – and he does – it’s best to follow his lead).
I still believe this and embrace his Calling to Christ and the call to express his love for other people through creativity.
It might be easier to understand and provide clarity if we substitute the word purpose for “call.” (that’s call with a little “c.”)
Calling to Christ. A purpose for living. Now that makes sense!
“You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.”
Psalm 73:24 NLT
One task for everybody
2 Corinthians 5:18 clarifies that God assigns all believers in the body of Christ with a specific task (or ministry): Reconciling people to him. This “ministry of reconciliation” makes each an ambassador of the Kingdom, speaking and working for Christ in all we do, whether in the marketplace or a ministry context.
All believers in Christ are called to this ministry, and we have the freedom in Christ to fulfill it by following God into the vocation —and the glorious destiny — he invites us into.
We must remember that God values every vocation equally. You are called to follow Jesus and love God and people as you work out God’s calling.
God has greater expectations for us than we do of ourselves.
You bring value to other people as you serve them. I rejoice in what God is doing through you; will you rejoice in what he does in and through others?
For the record, I am just a layman.
*If you haven’t watched Rogue One, I highly recommend it. No, I don’t believe the Force is real or God-like.
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