2 Corinthians 12:19 – “Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.”
Our ministry has two components: 1) what we say; and 2) what we do.
What we say is before God or in the sight of God. He is the reason we do it and He is our audience.
What we do is for others. Paul uses the word “edification.” In the Greek it means architecture and structure. This adds a level of sobriety and careful thought to what we do as leaders. We are building the lives of people and erecting the structures that will hopefully help them to live a successful life this side of heaven.
I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in several building projects. There is incredible detail needed to build something from concept to design phase to plans to coordinating the trades to completing a structure. All of these, and more, require careful thought, calculation and execution. A Christian leader must bring such detail to the ministry. We cannot afford to build with inferior materials and without steps and processes and plans along the way. To do so is to be negligent and the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah pronounced a curse on those who do the work of the Lord negligently. Remember, you and I are laboring for eternity. The buildings we are building (not brick and mortar) will live beyond this earthly existence. Let’s give it our best and do it “as unto the Lord”.