August 23, 2017
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1 (NIV)
Every Christian should cultivate a desire for maximum usefulness to Jesus Christ. Some of you have that desire and you want to know how to go about pursuing it.
You are wondering, Should I go to seminary? Should I be in full-time ministry? Should I be serving overseas? What you need to know is that the first things to pursue are right here in 1 Timothy 3.
When Paul describes overseers and deacons, he is not talking about pastors who serve full-time in the church. He is talking about lay leaders who earn their living in the marketplace and who serve the local church. Paul says that this is a noble task. It is a wonderful thing.
May God raise up many, many young people in this generation who will say, “I want to be an engineer and I would like to serve as a leader in my church. I want to be in business or in teaching and I want to serve others in my church.” To set your heart on this is a noble thing. It is something that should be fostered and encouraged.
How can you maximize your usefulness in God’s global mission? What should you pursue? How can you be more effective in ministry?