My wife and I were at home and she was obviously tired. I told her to go take a nap and I would watch the boys. I then said, “If we’re going to minister to people then sometimes those people will be the ones in our own home.” She replied, “letting me take a nap isn’t ministry.” I looked at her and asked, “What do you think ministry is, but helping people?”
You see a lot of people misunderstand what ministry is. Let’s look in the Word for some clarification.
Matthew 8:14-15 KJV
14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
We find Jesus healing Peter’s mother in law and then it says she arose and ministered unto them. Now this doesn’t mean she got up and preached a sermon. Let’s look at it in a different translation.
Matthew 8:15 BBE And he put his hand on hers and the disease went from her, and she got up and took care of his needs.
That’s it, she took care of their needs. She served them. That’s ministry, serving others needs. Salvation is our greatest need, so yes preaching the gospel is ministry. So is bringing a cup of water. So is helping someone in need whatever the need. You see you don’t have to wear a suit and tie and be a licensed minister to serve. In fact, you can even minister to the Ministers.
Act 13:1-5 KJV
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
5….and they had also John to their minister.
John ministered unto Paul and Barnabas. How you may ask. Pray for them, encourage them, and tend to things that they may need.
Rom 12:7 KJV Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:7 ISV If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others.
Yes ministering or serving others can be a gift and those called in such gifting must dedicate themselves to it. We should be as those Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.
Galatians 5:13-14 ISV
13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.
14 For the whole Law is summarized in a single statement: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”
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