Less praise, more people

Wondering what I meant up there in the title? (Grin)
I know, I know, sometimes I don't speak as clearly as I'd like to think . . .
I mean that today we will discuss two things -- being willing to minister without a lot of fanfare and pats on our heads, and secondly, being willing to focus on people instead of on programs.
Ready?

The long list of names in Nehemiah 11 doesn't mean a whole lot to us in 2020. We don't read the names and have a spark of  "I remember him!" Some people aren't even listed by name - they are just lumped together with their kinfolk in a group. For example, in verse fourteen, Zabdiel is named, but over one hundred of his kinsmen are not named. It just says that they were valiant warriors. But over one hundred warriors were a big part of keeping Jerusalem safe and secure!
That's what I meant: less praise. We need to be willing to perform the task and work at the ministry that God has given to us, without needing fame or fanfare.
Oh, I know that we all do it. When the pastor is thanking everyone who contributed or worked to pull off the successful missions fundraiser, he is really asking for it. Ya know? He says that sister Beatrice provided her skills as a baker, and sister Hepzibah was so awesome to put together the graphics and the posters . . . just let him forget for a moment that sister Theodora collaborated on both the cakes and the colorful flyers, and you will see Theodora in a real swivet!
We listen for our name to be said in the list of "you done good" that someone gives out. Yep, we do. But what we really need to be willing to do is do our tasks and forget to listen. Don't worry about anyone saying "you done good" or "thank you."
Here is why: the kingdom of God needs people who work hard and don't care about the pats and acclaim. Kinda like our vital organs in our bodies.....we don't see them, but if one of them quits working, we are in BIG trouble! (Grin)
It's our motives that matter. If we are serving in the kingdom to try to gain recognition and esteem among other believers, we are doing it for the WRONG reason! We are dangerously close to falling prey to the sin of pride, and then to the sin of anger when others don't give us the praise that we want to hear. We will do well to remember the words of Jesus:

 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." (Matthew 6:1-4, NIV)

You see, God notices our work. He notices our efforts even if no one else does. How do I know that? Well, in this chapter, God decided it was important to record some names that really don't mean much to us. But they meant something to God -- and that is what matters. Here's another reason that I know that:

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)

The second thing we'll look at today is that ministry involves people more than programs. Again, these long lists of names reveal the importance of individual people to God. Each one of these names, though we may think they sound strange (and we may have trouble pronouncing some of them!), represents one person whom God knew very well and loved. That's why Jesus told us:

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3)

Our faith is all about personal relationships, no? First with our Father God, and then with one another, just as Jesus told the crowd in Matthew 22 (the two great commandments). You see, so many churches get hung up on their programs. They're the be-all, end-all; gotta get with the program! But programs are just a channel -- a way for us to show compassion and love for people. In fact, if a program isn't doing that, we might as well stop it right here and now!
What's important is relating to people and acquainting them with God. When we are at church meetings, we need to meet new people, members and visitors alike. If they are new there, make them feel welcome and introduce them to others. If they are members, make them glad they came! We can't do this with everyone, but if the Spirit nudges us, suggest a time to get together for coffee or invite them to a small group meeting. We can share our testimony and ask them how God is working in their lives. Cultivating relationships can be a ministry.
Now, I know that this is not comfortable to some people. Hey, I get it! I'm an introvert, too! It's more comfortable sometimes, and it feels safer sometimes, to work in a program and keep our distance from people. Some people even choose jobs to maintain church buildings or other tasks that allow them to be farther away from others. But God isn't redeeming buildings. He's not offering salvation to programs. He is redeeming and saving people -- and He does that through us, reaching out in love to others.

As we think back over what we've talked about this week, being willing to serve where God places us, serving without fanfare, and serving people instead of programs, let's think and pray about how we can best serve the kingdom of God. How can we show His love to others? Then, let's make some plans and make it happen!