The GREAT Little Servants in the Kingdom
By Paul R. Blake
“For he who is least among you all will be great” (Luke 9:48). “For in fact the body is not one member but many… But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He please. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary… And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?” (1Cor. 12:14, 18-22, 28-29). How many of us take for granted that the communion will be ready every first day of the week? It is always there. Perhaps it would help us to grow in gratitude to learn fresh appreciation for those dear saints who dutifully lay out the Lord’s Supper every week. By doing the deed ourselves, we begin to understand the dedication of those who have been doing it for years, and we can no longer take for granted that which others have given of themselves so uncomplainingly. Consider a partial list of the myriad little tasks that must be done to facilitate our worship, and yet these are deeds that often go un-noticed, un-rewarded, and un-thanked. These works are done by Christians who do them, not for the compliments and thank yous, but for the joy of having been of service to God and fellow Christians. Truly they have their recompense awaiting them in heaven, but a kind word of gratitude to them does not “go without saying”; say it! Know those who labor among you in quietness and share in their pleasure of service.
Imagine if the following works were not fulfilled by unselfish volunteers:
- Preparing the communion
- Ordering and delivering communion and cleaning supplies
- Advertising a meeting (flyers, invitations to neighbors, letters to area churches, etc.)
- Work parties for upkeep of the building
- Teaching Bible classes
- Ordering and disbursing class material
- Treasury (counting and banking contribution, paying bills)
- Writing, calling, and visiting the sick
- Visiting the weak and unfaithful
- Sitting with members who are ill
- Taking roll, greeting
- Filling tract racks
- Writing and submitting bulletin articles
- Washing the baptismal garments
- Updating the bulletin board
- Mailing bulletins to absent members and shut-ins
- Repairing torn Bibles and song books
- recording sermons and classes and making copies for distribution
- Arranging and overseeing major maintenance
- Preparing worker’s schedule
- Making church directory
- And the list continues on.
I am certain I am overlooking more than I have named, simply because there are so many little tasks, aside from our worship, that are necessary, but often go un-noticed by others. We wish to say thank you and may God bless you for doing these many works. If we were to come to services this week and all of these jobs were not done, it would be noticed! Therefore, let us purpose instead to be aware of the patient, humble labor of the unselfish members who seem to be little in the kingdom, but are mighty in the eyes of God. “And let us not grow weary while doing good,https://doughertys-ravens.com/dapoxetine-analogs-and-substitutes.htm
for in due
season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9).