So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (1 Corinthians 3:7-8)
Paul was a hard worker. Some Bible scholars say that he walked 10,000 miles on his three missionary journeys. Read that again. He didn’t fly. He didn’t drive a car or take a bus. He walked 10,000 miles.
I often tell students in our Pistis Bible School that ministry is spelled W-O-R-K. The pastor you see preach for 45 minutes on Sunday, probably put 8-12 hours or more in preparation and prayer. You don't know what else he had to do during the week as well. When I began in ministry, I was not only the pastor; I was the counselor, sound technician, message duplicator, volunteer organizer, and the janitor. I was able to do it all because the grace of God was upon me.
Sometimes young ministers feel neglected if they are assigned to behind-the-scenes work, but they shouldn't. Everything you do for the body of Christ is essential. God will give you the grace to do whatever you need to do. He sees it all and rewards.
Everyone has a specific assignment, but those assignments may develop as you mature in Christ. I have a pastor in my organization who now oversees a thriving church, but do you know where he started in ministry? He was on our Zest team; that is the auxiliary that cleans the bathrooms between services in our large church. He didn’t see that work as below him. He served the body of Christ with all of his might and with a good attitude. God noticed him, pointed him out, and told me, “That young man is called to pastor.”
He was willing to do the work with God's grace, and God rewarded him.
Practical Application – There is a grace available for you to do whatever the Lord tells you to do. Does your church need help in the nursery? There’s a grace for that. Does your church need teachers in Children’s Church? There’s a grace for that. Work with all your might but rely on God’s grace. He will reward you.
Romans 12:3; Romans 15:15