What Do You Do?

The chances are, you have been asked this question at some point in your life, usually in reference to your particular occupation. It is a question that we must also be able to answer as Christians. Each of us has a role which we must play. Each of us has abilities and talents that should be put to use in furthering the cause of Christ.

Often when we consider this question, we limit our thinking to the assembly. In so doing, we only come up with a short list of things that we can do: preacher, song leader, prayer leader, announcement giver, Lord's Supper tray passer, and teacher. The fact of the matter is that there are far more things that as Christians we can and should be doing. Each of us have roles to play outside the assembly that are as important, if not more so.

We should each be an evangelist, sharing the gospel of Christ with those outside of the church (II Timothy 4:5). We should each be a servant, to the Lord and to one another (Romans 12:7). We should each teach, whether we are teaching in a class setting, teaching our children, teaching brethren, or teaching the unbeliever (Romans 12:7). We should each be exhorting the brethren, encouraging and helping to gain strength in the Lord (Romans 12:8). We should each be giving to the work of the Lord, whether in the contribution on Sundays or in individually helping those people who have need (Romans 12:8). We should each be cheerfully merciful, forgiving and showing kindness and love (Romans 12:8).

Not only should each of us be doing each of these things, but we all have particular strengths that make us more suited to specific roles and tasks. Some people have difficulty teaching, but are excellent at seeing to the needs of others. Others have difficulty discerning where needs are, but are well able to exhort the brethren. Some people have more difficulty exhorting the brethren, but easily approach those outside the body of Christ. Some are well able to lead singing, yet have difficulty in leading prayer. Some lead prayers well and capably, yet have difficulty preaching. While we are not excused from doing the other tasks because they are more difficult, we should be striving to effectively use what abilities and talents we have in the way that best pleases the Lord.

I Corinthians 12 shows us clearly that there are many different tasks that need doing, and no dishonor in performing any of them. It is easy to look at certain roles (usually those done in the assembly, particularly leading singing and preaching) and see them as being the “greater” roles to play. The simple fact is that all the work is equally necessary.

So what do you do? Have you been teaching? Exhorting? Serving? Merciful? Praying? Or have you been slacking off and not fulfilling your role? Have you not been using your abilities, skills, and talents to further the cause of Christ? If not, then now is the time to start. Sometimes we become so focused on the assembly that we forget that we each have work to do during the other 164 hours a week. What do you do?