October 2010

Parents are proud when someone praises their child with the words, “He/she is a good worker.” Such words might come from a teacher, a coach, or simply someone whom their son or daughter has helped with some type of physical labor or special project. And, when the kids are old enough to be employees, dads and moms enjoy hearing their children’s employer say, “They are really good workers. I wish I had ten more just like them.”

What about you, brother or sister, are you a good worker? I am talking now about the work that you do in the Lord’s Kingdom. Does the Lord count you as a good worker in His Cause? “Oh, I try to be a good neighbor.” If you truly are a good neighbor, then good for you. That seems to be a lost art in the 21^st century. God surely wants each of us to be a good neighbor, ‘For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14).

Are you a good worker? “I try to be a good person.” The Lord certainly wants us to be kind to others (Ephesians 4:32), be courteous (1 Peter 3:8), do good to others (Galatians 6:10), and refrain from  harming others (1 Peter 4:15). If you are one that others honestly see as “a really good person,” then you are special, indeed. The world certainly needs more “good people.”

Are you a good worker? “I try to be a good friend that others can count on.” Jesus said, “Greater love has no man that this, to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). If you are a genuine, loyal friend, that is admirable.

Are you a good worker? “I know I am not perfect, but I try to be a good husband/father [or wife/mother].” In far too many cases today, husbands/fathers and wives/mothers do not fit into the category of “good” simply because they do not treat other family members the way the Lord wants them to be treated. Husbands and wives, as well as parents and children, are to love one another (Ephesians 5:22-33; Titus 2:3-5). If you are a good spouse and/or parent, then by all means, keep it up.

Are you a good worker in the church? “I do my best to attend every service of the church.” The Lord knows that we need our brothers and sisters to serve as a good pattern for us (Titus 2:7), and we are encouraged by their commitment not to be a forsaker of the assembling of God’s people (Hebrews 10:25). It is a genuine delight to see brethren in the Lord putting God first and arranging their other activities around the services of the church and not vice versa. Yes, seeking first the Lord’s righteousness and kingdom is still Jesus’ desire for each of His disciples (Matthew 6:33).

Are you a good worker in the church? This is the question to which I am pointing, but when I ask it, I seem to always get an answer that speaks of some other aspect of life. Being a good neighbor, a good person, a good friend, a good spouse/parent, and one that attends the services of the church – that is wonderful. In reality, that is just how it should be for every child of God. But what about being a good worker in the Kingdom? Should not each member of the church consider this question? We think so.

If I have been bought by the blood of the Lamb, then the Master wants me to work for Him. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). If my Lord wants me to work for Him, then shouldn’t I have a desire to do that very thing in order to please Him? Even Jesus said about Himself, “I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).

In the work and activities of the church, there are so many opportunities for us to get involved. Matters pertaining to the worship, evangelism, edification, and benevolence of the church are areas in which each of us can be helpful to the Cause. It may still be true in the world-wide scheme of things in the church that, “. . . the labourers are few” (Luke 10:2), but let us make certain that here in this place, in our home congregation, there will never be a shortage of workers because each one of us remains committed to working with and for Jesus!

Many of us have sung the song “I Want to Be a Worker for the Lord” an untold number of times. What a great sentiment the words of that song express! If you claim that you work for the Lord, would there be enough evidence in your life to prove it? If everyone in this congregation worked in the Kingdom just like you do, how much work would get done? If every other saint of God approached the work of the church with the same enthusiasm that you participate in that work, how enthusiastic would this congregation be? If each brother or sister in the Lord spent the same amount of energy and time working for Jesus’ spiritual body that you do, how much work would we be getting done?

The work of the Lord is too large for any single person or group of people. It takes all of us working together, with each one of us doing his/her part, whatever that “part” might be. The Lord deserves our best effort, does He not? By the way, what was your final answer to our question, “Are you a good worker?” If you do not like the answer that you give, then what can you do? Simply do what it takes to become and remain a dependable worker. May God bless you for your conviction and commitment to please the One that gave Himself for us.

— Roger D. Campbell