You would usually not find yourself asking:
“What is kingdom work?”
“What constitutes God’s kingdom?”
These are questions that come up, once in a while, and ones we may not necessarily take time to contemplate or answer.
Well, I have attempted to answer this today, even though you did not ask. ?
Before we consider what constitutes kingdom work, it makes sense to understand what a kingdom is. I love how the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this:
“Kingdom is the realm in which God’s will is fulfilled.” kingdom can also denote the “eternal kingship of God.’ (These MW guys must be Christians, right??)
If we accept these definitions then kingdom work will be work that fulfills God’s will and enshrines his kingship. In essence, it will be about doing what God wants us to do – His will.
It seems almost too straightforward but we know things are hardly ever.
While reading a book by one of my favorite authors, Leslie Ludy, I came across a statement that made me pause:
“As you evaluate where to devote your time and energy, remember that rescuing human lives and souls is true kingdom work; saving whales and trees is not (see Jas. 1:27).”
Leslie Ludy, Set Apart Woman
I do not deny that humans are more important than plants or animals, the Bible confirms this. We were the only things created in God’s image and likeness, and given dominion over the earth.
“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image and in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Genesis 1:26(NIV)
We are unique and special and no force on earth can change that. However, if you read Genesis 2, you will find that God’s first instruction to man was to work. The scripture goes as follows:
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Genesis 2:15
In the previous verses, we had learned how God created the Garden of Eden with beautiful trees and rivers cascading from all sides (do you ever picture how gorgeous it must have been??)
It was indeed an oasis, a beauty to behold, and then he instructs the man he “specially” created to tend and keep it.
Would this classify as kingdom work or even ‘true’ kingdom work?
On the face of it, it probably wouldn’t because we have associated kingdom work with the ministry and saving souls, but if we considered Adam’s responsibility in light of our earlier definition then we will likely agree that God’s command to take care of the garden is kingdom work.
I would be bold to say that at that time, there was no greater mandate on earth than for Adam to tend and keep the garden.
Kingdom work as stewardship
Kingdom work, at the heart of it, is about stewardship.
It is about doing what God has called us to. The question is not whether it is humans or animals or plants but whether we are doing what God has called us to.
I think the danger we humans often fall into is in using our human eyes to classify the worthiness of work. We use our human standards to examine God’s way which is a grave mistake.
We have all been called to different things and been given different gifts. What matters is that we work according to our giftings and capacity.
Some may be called to conserve/preserve the earth, others to preserve its people.
We do not get to judge which is of a higher calling.
In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus explains some kingdom truths. In this story, each steward was given varying amounts of talent by their master before his travels, and on his return, they were called to account for how these were used. For those who were faithful, the master’s response was:
“Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over little, I will set you over much; enter into the boy of your master.”
Matthew 25:23
And to the one who hid his talent, the master said:
“You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
A few things stand out in this story:
- The stewards did not own the talents, they were given by their Master. So also we do not own the gifts and talents God has blessed us with.
- He gave them according to their capacity – 5, 2, and 1. So also does God bless us according to what we can do.
- He knew they could grow these talents multiple times over. Did you notice the use of the word ‘at least invest my money with the bankers…’? That signifies that the master expected them to work, to do something active not passive like leaving the money with bankers. This was the way they would see such exponential growth.
Concluding words
Stewardship is about obedience.
“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22(b)
Some of us may have sacrificed our lives on the altar of ministry or some other cause that God has not called us to. Many are sad, frustrated, and wondering where God is.
And the question is – did he send you? Are you serving where God has called you?
Through our obedience, God’s kingdom comes on earth and his will is done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s not about paying lip service to our Lord’s prayer but about living it in our every day.
You may be wondering why I used the story of the talents and the answer is simple – we do not get to decide what work is popular or worthy or memorable, nor should we be distracted by what other people have or what God has called them to.
We must face our lane and do what he has planned for us (before the beginning of the world Ephesians 2:10)
So, whether you’re an evangelist, a conservationist, or a scientist, what truly matters is that it is God and not your idea of what is ‘good or right’, that is leading you.
Going back to Mrs. Ludy’s quote, my concern had been with her categorization of what qualifies as true kingdom work.
I believe that everything God has called us to do and we do, no matter how small or insignificant it may be, is kingdom work.
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for continually revealing your word and truth in our lives. May your light illuminate our lives and teach us to live your way, now and forever. Amen
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