Based on “Gel and Flow Together – Everyone Is Needed” by Pastor Mark Balmer;
7/31-8/01/10, Message #6057; Daily Devotional #4 - “Come Lend a Hand”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): According to Wikipedia, “The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, or the law of the vital few, states that for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.” Mr. Pareto discovered this principle when he observed that 20% of the pea pods in his garden contained 80% of the peas. We find another example of this principle at church in that 80% of the work is performed by only 20% of the congregation.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Jesus called them [the disciples] together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28) The first time I read that Scripture, I became very excited about serving at church. “Whoever wants to become great must be your servant.” “I want to be great,” I thought to myself. Reading that Scripture causes me to believe that greatness, in the eyes of God, is not measured by our accomplishments or outstanding achievements; rather it’s measured by humbleness and a willingness to put others first before ourselves. Thinking even deeper about this Scripture, I asked myself, “What is a servant, and how does a servant behave?” I thought of a waiter in a restaurant. The waiter doesn’t tell the customer what the waiter wants to eat; rather, he asks what the customer wants to eat, and then he goes and gathers the customer’s order and brings it to him. At church we can ask, “What can I do for you that will make it easier for you to focus on Jesus Christ while you’re here in church?” (Galatians 5:13)
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Perhaps the answer is in helping people park their cars, or in taking care of babies while their parents attend the service, or in helping to operate the cameras so those in the back of the sanctuary can see what’s on the screen; perhaps it’s in the information center, or the media ministry, or the café. There is a place for everyone to serve, and everyone is needed. If we all work together, imagine how much we could accomplish for Christ! If you are not yet serving at church, I would like to encourage you to do so.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 12:3-8
GH
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.