I am disappointed!
Why?
Well because I'm really starting to wonder if we as Christ followers truly understand what sacrifice really is. I mean I know missionaries understand because they give up their entire lives and their will for God's will. Which by the way is to introduce people to Christ and then encourage them to love Him, to give their lives over to Him and then make their lives all about Him and His will.
You see Jesus painted a perfectly clear picture that His will, was all about giving up His personal will in order to see everyone be in God's perfect will. In other words, I'm having troubles seeing those who call themselves Christian and even those in ministry today making their life focus all about sacrifice. They act as if the world revolves around their desires, their wants or needs. And that is not what Jesus teaches! He teaches us to give our lives away. I may be all wrong in my viewpoint and forgive me if so...but all I see in today's young ministers are young men and women who are more than ready to be selfish rather than sacrificial. When they come out of bible college they demand a certain salary, insurance and living accommodations before they will even think of ministering...
...REALLY! Just re-read the last sentence and see if it really makes since "biblically."
Well you might ask, "What's wrong with that? They worked hard in school and graduated in that field just like anyone going into the work place, right?" And I would answer you with this, "Yes, but you don't see doctors, lawyers or business men coming right out of school and being the head physician, partners in a big law firm or the CEO of a huge corporation." They had to start somewhere and dedicate their lives to their profession. The only difference with any of these and ministers of the gospel is ministry is not a profession it's a LIFE lived that professes Christ as Lord.
There are so many small churches right here in America that are struggling to make ends meet and more importantly reach the unchurched because there are hundreds if not thousands of fresh ministers who refuse to lower their standards of working a secular job to support their calling to minister to the lost.
Now I do not claim to be perfect when it comes to sacrifice myself, but at least I believe I have a true grip on what the word means, or what a life of sacrifice is.
All I can say is I am grateful and thankful that my Savior didn't have a "what's in it for me attitude" and that He not only understands but set the standard for what true sacrifice is.
So if you are going into or already feel you are in ministry all I have is this one word question we should constantly ask ourselves. Sacrifice?
