A Look At Vacation And Vocation
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesAh, vacation time is here at last! The kids are out of school, trips are being planned, cars are being packed, and folks will be headed off in different directions to “get away from it all.” We may take vacations from the routines of life, but must we take vacations from God and our relationship with Him and His church?
Being a Christian is a 365 day-a-year “vocation,” just as the Lord’s work (which doesn’t take a vacation). His work is based on the generous contributions and personal work of the members of His church (2 Corinthians 8:1-5; Colossians 1:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-8), many of which have made a commitment to give a certain percentage of their income on a weekly basis (2 Corinthians 9:7-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). It is because of these commitments and contributions, that a budget is agreed upon and still other commitments are made for salaries, utilities, benevolence, teaching materials, etc.
Money has always been and will always be a sensitive subject (especially with today’s economic downturn). Unfortunately, vacation time sometimes brings a shortage of the regular contributions which can have a negative effect on the Lord’s work. Brethren, this ought not to be.
The walls around Jericho fell by God’s power, but it was the marching, trumpet blowing, and shouting of Joshua’s men in obedience to God’s command that completed the action (cf. Joshua 6). Would it have happened without their faithful response? To ask the question, is to answer the question.
And so it is with the work of the church today. God will do His part (He doesn’t take vacations) if we will be faithful doing our part. Like Joshua and his men, we still have to do the marching, trumpet blowing, and shouting (i.e., trusting, working, and giving) in order to get the Lord’s work done.
Brethren, let’s not leave God out of our plans when we go on summer vacation. And while we are away, let’s not forget our contribution commitments to the local congregation (2 Corinthians 9:7-8).
Related Articles:
- Are We Enthusiastic For Christ?
- Let’s Give Our Best!
- The “Value Added” Life
- If We Had Three Wishes
- Excuses WIll Lead To Exclusion
- “Someone Else” Suddenly Dies