Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. Then Paul goes on to describe how this is possible and came about, i.e. his triumph over the devil; what those gifts are about, to bring about unity; and how they are to be used, to build up the Body of Christ in love. Paul is referring to degrees of grace, special abilities, not particularly the daily grace we need to live as Christ-followers. This explains why ministers and ministries are different . . . and they are different, not only in kind, but in degree.
For this reason, it is a good practice to be thankful for two things, first, the fact that God has given each one of us gifts so we can serve Him in this world, and in His church. Second, that there are a variety of gifts and each person is given a specific measure of that gift of grace by Jesus Christ himself. This takes a lot of pressure off of the one ministering. None of us can minister beyond that measure which Christ apportioned to us, and all of us can minister to the fullest degree to which Christ has enabled us, if we will exercise those gifts in faith and in on-going faithfulness.
When we see someone do a great job in their ministry, even though it is limited, we can be thankful and appreciative of them and what they do. We don't need to put more pressure on anyone than Christ has. We don't need to expect more of others than what Christ expects of them. BUT, we CAN encourage others to step up to the plate, as it were, and get busy with the ministry to which Christ HAS called and enabled them. We can hold each other accountable to live up to that grace -- and we do that with love, in the spirit of bringing greater unity to the Body of Christ, so it can grow, be healthy, minister in this world in Christ’s stead, and bring beauty to the name and character of the Savior.
There are enough pressures in ministry to Christ; the unnecessary pressures of either taking on too much, or of doing that for which Christ has neither called nor gifted us, can be dismissed without guilt or shame. The faithful servant does that which Christ has commanded, and to do that in the grace which Christ has given and that is all. Not that one can't do nice things for others just for fun, but the work of one's "ministry" is a specific task, or set of tasks based on one's "portion" of grace received. Only that is "ministry." Beyond that is either ignorance, arrogance or folly. Those are what gets one into difficulties.
Ministry according to the grace-limitations Christ has placed on each one of us will not burn a person out. One only burns out when they work without the grace of God; either through neglect of their spiritual life, or when they are trying to do that for which Christ has not given them grace.
Burn out is usually the result of ministry beyond the grace given. I have personally experienced burn out in my own life, and I learned a hard but wonderful lesson; namely, minister according to the grace given and don't try to do more than that. If you try to work beyond your limitation, you will burn out. That is a certainty. But, if you work within your limits, you will enjoy ministry much more, others will be grateful for what you do, and God will be glorified by your simple obedience. Forget about doing all those superhuman stupendous feats of daring, or engaging in endless labor. It is not godly, and you are not called to that. No one is.
Finally, as you find yourself limited (and you surely will), remember that Jesus Christ has given each of us gifts of grace. Your limitations are where another person's gifts become essential for the work to go forward. So, make room for others; invite others in to do all that which you cannot do. You will discover the wonderful way of Spirit-filled service if you do. What if others won't do their part? I'll comment on that in up-coming blogs.
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Eph 4:7-14 - 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
8 This is why it a says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 9 What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. NIV
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