6.Is secular job part of Lord's Ministry?

In these days a Minister of God would generally mean the person would not do any other work but to preach the LORD's word, shepherd the people. Few of my friends have come and asked what is being a Minister to the LORD.

In scriptures there are less instances which provide information on Full time Ministry.

Let us see a few in this chapter to clearly understand the Ministry.

1.Levi Tribe, Sons of Aaron

When the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt HE separated Levi tribe and said for the Levi tribe the LORD is their inheritance.

Based on this Levi Tribe did not get inheritance in the land of Canaan. Aaron sons would go into the Holy of the Holies and the Levi sons are allowed till the Holy place in the Tabernacle and subsequently in the Temple built by Solomon.

This practice has been followed till Jesus time, is what we understand from History. Even now, in modern Israel, there are priests who call themselves Rabbi.

Let is see about Full time ministry in New Testament age.

2.Jesus Ministry

History records that Jesus lived with his Joseph and Mary. Joseph was a carpenter by profession. Jesus also continued to be a carpenter till his baptism. He is called as a carpenter by the people of Nazareth.

Mark 6:3 records people of Nazareth scoffed as “ He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us. (NLT)

However there is no record of Jesus doing carpentry work after he started his Ministry.

Lets see few more

3.Peter

When Peter , a common fisherman, was called to follow Jesus says, Thou shall catch men anymore. After this we don’t read that Peter has gone back to his Fishing profession. He neither has forgotten fishing! (We see him fishing with a rod to take a coin and pay tax, also after Jesus resurrection we see him fishing 153 fishes)

4.Paul

In Corinth Paul worked as a Tent maker, a profession he knew to practice. We read in Acts 18: 3-4 …because he was a tent-maker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks (NIV)

So Paul did work in Corinth and preached on Sabbath day.

This puts a new dimension and also confusion as to which one is correct, whether “Tent Making”, i.e., secular job or full time ministry.

Let us see what John the baptist says in his Ministry

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” Luke 3:12-14(NIV)

Tax collecting and Being soldier are secular jobs.

There are 2 important points.

1.Don’t extort more than what you are asked to do

2.Don’t crave for more money (corruption)

So, is a full time ministry a farce? No that is not what we intend to say. If the Holy Spirit leads you to full time ministry, obey. After taking up full time ministry and then to ends meet “tent making” will become “Neither cold, nor warm” This will become a trap.

See what Jesus says “ No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 (NIV)

Even in secular job you can lead a life and live as a witness to Christ. Christians are Light of the world, wherever they are.

May the Light in you Shine and May the LORD lead you. Amen.

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