Welcome back! I love September. We, like sheep have returned to the fold after a much-needed vacation.

I bet a lot of you are glad to be back to work. Sometimes doing too little can be more tiring that doing too much.

I’ve been reading through the book of Proverbs recently. It’s interesting to see the number of times King Solomon talked about diligence in our work. Here’s just a sample:

“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” (Proverbs 13:4)

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty…” (Proverbs 21:5)

“.....diligence is man’s precious possession.” (Proverbs 12:27)

We know how important it is do give 10% of our finances to the Lord. But what about giving a portion of our time to the work of the Lord? I don’t want to get legalistic about the 10%, but I am convinced that every believer needs to give a portion of his/her time to ministry. Here’s what the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 4:11, 12: “Now these are the gifts the Messiah gave to the Kehilah: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the community of believers, the body of the Messiah.”

The two verses teach us two vital truths:

1. The leaders in the body of Messiah are not the primary ministers. Rather, the calling of leaders is first and foremost to equip and enable all the believers to be the ministers.


2. Each believer has a responsibility to offer his/her time and gifts to the local congregation “to do His work and build up the community of believers, the body of the Messiah.” Paul emphasizes this point in Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone — especially to those in the family of faith.” So, even if we are doing the important work of reaching out to needy unbelievers in the Land, we also have a responsibility and great privilege to serve in our own congregation.
   
   
   • Ushers
   
   
   • Greeters
   
   
   • Welcome Table host/hostess
   
   
   • Male “Gatekeepers” – for the Lobby Sunday evenings
   
   
   • Children’s Ministry workers
   
   
   • Hospitality: Food Coordinator, – Fellowship Event Helpers, opening your home for LIFE group/Bible study
   
   
   • Office Helps
   
   
   • Lending Library Volunteers
   
   
   • Print editing for publications
   
   
   • Power Point/Easy Worship operators
   
   
   • Transportation help
   
   

 

We have lots of areas where you could make a difference. Here are just some examples:

Would you prayerfully seek the Lord concerning the ways you can make a contribution. Or maybe you can let us know about a niche that you see needs filling.

Let’s continue to work together and serve one another in love.

Pastor Wayne Hilsden