I have noticed over thirty-plus years of ministry, that the people who complain the loudest (in churches and ministries in general), are the people who are doing the least amount of work. It seems that typically those who are working the hardest, don’t have much time left for complaining and moaning and whining. It has always amazed me that those who have done the least, find the most mistakes in the bulletin, or in the sermon, or in the song service.
Today I read some great advice from the Apostle Paul. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” (II Timothy 2:14-16).
I am sure there have been times in your life that you were tempted to be the person who was complaining and whining. We all have been in spots like that in our lives. Paul challenges us to be “workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” This means that to live my Christian life correctly, I must put some serious effort into it! I must focus and discipline myself if I expect to do anything worthwhile for God.
I believe many of us work hard at our jobs, but when it comes time to put effort into our spiritual life, we imagine that something magical is going to happen, and we will become spiritually mature, simply because we want to be. Paul reminded young Timothy that hard work is an essential to spiritual productivity. He also warned him that much sitting around and “talking” about what you are going to do, or what others should do is counter-productive. I am convinced that this message needs to be preached more today than at any other time in history. We love to debate and discuss, but we rarely roll our sleeves up and dig into the work of the ministry.
This devotional is not aimed at any age group, or any specific type of person. I believe we all need to have a fresh injection of good old-fashioned work ethic when it comes to building and maintaining our spiritual life and walk with God. I am not trying to be critical, but feel this is a crucial time for the church to get to work! There is much to do, and too few doing it. I hope each one reading this devotional will decided to get involved in the work of God. In conclusion … the next time you are tempted to complain, or murmur, or whine about something … just find something to do, and get to work!