While eating lunch with the media director of large church, he began sharing with me his struggle. He explained that his job overseeing all sound and video production brought him contentment. However, he was wrestling with guilt believing that he needed to change to a ‘more spiritual’ career. Jean also agonized with the same issue. Give her a piece of cloth, an idea, and the next day she brought a beautiful article of clothing. This gifted seamstress utilized her talent to pay her tuition as a full-time Bible College student. Yet, she asked me, “Should I stop sewing and devote more time to ‘spiritual’ activities?”
We, who live in the western world, dichotomize life into two realms—secular and spiritual. The Jews and writers of the Bible did not think this way. For them, all elements of their existence made up a unified whole. Every thought, action, relationship, all jobs, even recreation related to God. Secular did not exist. People either lived in harmony with God’s design (good), or lived out of harmony with God’s design (evil). Paul thought this way. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col 3:17). Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Co 10:31).
People assume the most spiritual ways of serving God revolve around gifts as preaching, teaching, evangelizing, working miracles, etc. The Old Testament Tabernacle serves as a pattern of the various duties in the Kingdom of God. The Lord assigned the tribe of Levi, composed of four clans, as priests responsible for ministry in and the care of the Tabernacle. The duties of each group varied. We most often associate Moses, Aaron, and their children with the Tabernacle. God placed them in the role of offering sacrifices, burning incense, and interceding for the people. Less noticed, the descendants of the three sons of Levi cared for the physical aspects. The Gershonites moved the soft materials of the tent, the curtains, the leather covering, the linen, the screens, and the cords. The Kohathites carried the holy articles as the Ark of the Covenant, Lampstand, and altars. The Merarites, the strong men, transported the heavy objects such as the boards, poles, and four tons of silver sockets. God did not view any one of these duties as more or less ‘spiritual’ than another.
The construction of the Tabernacle had required multiple crafts and skills. God gave certain men special abilities. “See, I have called by name Bezalel . . . of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship (Ex 31:1, 2). Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab . . . of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you (Exo 31:6) Neither Bezalel or Oholiab would ever minister at the altar or enter the holy place because they descended from the tribe of Judah and Dan, not the tribe of Levi. Yet, they served an essential role in the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. God gave them their skills or we could say a gift of craftsmanship. Without their abilities, no structure would have existed in which Moses and Aaron could fulfill their role of ministry.
Apply this to a church building. First, someone constructs it. It takes architects, skilled carpenters, electricians, carpet installers, plumbers, and unskilled laborers. After they complete their work, someone must keep it operating. Beside the ministers, it requires clerical staff, accountants, janitors, and technicians. God views each task as equally ‘spiritual’.
Also, we must not confine ministry to the four walls of the building we call church. Nor is ministry limited to those who hold a position or title in a church. The other false dichotomy man has made separates Christians into ministers and laymen. The Bible records no such position or gift as a layman. Peter wrote that Christians form a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1Pe 2:5). In God’s eyes, all believers serve as priests under the new covenant in Christ. He gives everyone a role of ministry. It may take place in the church or in the world around us. If we are serving God in the role He has assigned, either in the church or in what we call the secular, He does not view us more or less spiritual than someone He places in a highly visible role in the church.
I have found no less than 39 various crafts and skills named in the Bible used in service to the Lord. God does not categorize any of them as spiritual or secular.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Don’t allow the teaching of the world to divide your thinking into secular roles and spiritual roles. All we do, 24/7, relates to God. Do them in harmony with God’s design, in the name of Jesus, and for the glory of God.