Making Much of Christ from 8 to 5

"Eventually I want to serve God full time..." When you hear this statement, usually the person has in mind being a missionary, pastor, or the like. It is a broadly accepted misnomer in the evangelical church today. Abraham Kuyper made the statement, " There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!' " This call rings as true today as ever, but the question that remains for me is "What does that look like? Great, idea, but what does that really mean?"

 

Well, Dr. John Piper has written a book called "Don't Waste Your Life". After the first few chapters you will be ready to run off into the jungle or to jump in seminary; however as you progress through the book, you will find that this is not his intent. Yes, there are those who are called to this, but what about the rest? Chapter eight is entitled "Making Much of Christ from 8 to 5" and includes the following pointers:

 

1. We can make much of God in our secular job through fellowship that we enjoy with him throughout the day in all our work.

2. We make much of Christ in our secular work by the joyful, trusting, God-exalting design of our creativity and industry.

3. We make much of Christ in our secular work when it confirms and enhances the portrait of Christ's glory that people hear in the spoken Gospel.

4. We make much of Christ in our secular work by earning enough money to keep us from depending on others, while focusing on the helpfulness of our work rather than financial rewards.

5. We make much of Christ in our secular work by earning money with the desire to use our money to make others glad in God.

6. We make much of Christ in our secular work by treating the web of relationships it creates as a gift of God to be loved by sharing the Gospel and by practical deeds of help.

 

These above points are as true for the stay-at-home mom as for the stockbroker, or in my case an Oracle DBA. I think especially for the mom, the temptation can be to see children as the end all of her ministry. Adding these other aspects makes it a well rounded, God glorifying job - capable of transforming even the most inane drivel into something pleasing to our Father.