Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48b)…
For many churches, the first meeting of the year is a time of rededication and recommitment. If the diaconate has committees, the present members are asked if they wish to continue serving. Other deacons are invited to join them. Some rotate off. New committee chairmen are elected.
In a famous passage on leadership, Jesus said “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mat. 20:26-28).
When we put these two passage from Luke and Matthew together, what we get is a promise. That promise is this: he who takes on greater responsibility will be given greater influence and greater means to exercise that influence. Taking on greater responsibility means serving others, especially when no one else wants to.
Influence flows to those who take responsibility.
So, my challenge to you is this: stretch your comfort level this year and take on greater responsibility within your church. Join a committee. Volunteer regularly once a week to help cook or clean, if your church is still having weekly gatherings.
Find something to do that no one else wants to do because it’s too much work and effort.
We are all busy. We all have other responsibilities–to our wives, to our children, to our employer.
But God has called you into His diaconate for a reason.
He wants you to grow in your faith. One way to do this is to take on greater responsibility this year. Your goal is to serve. Through better service will come greater responsibility. Start small with little steps.
God gives us greater resources in order to better exercise our responsibility. So if you want more influence and more resources to exercise that influence, you had better want them only to the extent that they will help you better serve others and exercise the authority vested in your office.
Remember the promise made by the Apostle Paul: “For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 3:13)”.