A new school year is well underway. The teachers and students have returned with all the joy and challenges they bring. I’m always amazed at the dedication and labor of a few unsung heroes. Specifically, the maintenance folks that clean, scrub, paint, and wax the furniture, rooms, and hallways of our buildings.
Paul wrote to the Church of Corinth, “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28, NASB95) Eight gifts, seven of which people readily desire and accept. Apostle, now that sounds important. Prophets and teachers and administrators to tell folks what to do. Doing miracles, healing, and speaking in tongues, now that’s a spotlight that makes us feel important. That leaves one, the gift of helps.
In all my years of answering Lambchow’s emails and prayer requests, not once has someone claimed a call to the gift of helps. Plenty of folks claiming or desiring all the other gifts, but not that one. That’s a shame.
Those that are gifted in helps are the unsung heroes of the church. Without them, nothing else happens. And yet, they are rarely noticed. And in some ways, they like it that way. But that doesn’t mean that they are any less valuable than any other gift, calling, or responsibility.
Let’s take this one step further. If you really believe God has called or gifted you as an apostle, prophet, teacher, worker of miracles, healings, and tongues, or administration (and also including pastors, evangelists, bishops, elders, and leaders), start by seeking and doing the ministry of helps. Do not despise the small tasks that seem beneath your vision. As a master said to a servant in one of Jesus’ parables, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 25:21, NASB95) If you don’t value the little things, then God won’t trust you with the larger things. Or it could be that helps was your calling all along.
For those that do helps now. We celebrate your service and obedience. We recognize that you often go unnoticed and unthanked. But not today. Thank you for your God-ordained and empowered ministry. Those with more visible responsibilities couldn’t do what they do without you.
For all the others, I lay down this challenge. Stop considering the ministry of helps as something less. Quit looking down on folks who serve in those roles. Those that clean, cook, set up, run sound, stuff envelopes, do bookkeeping, greet folks, clear snow, mow grass, and a hundred other things. Thank them, celebrate them, and equip them because, without them, you couldn’t do what God has called you to do.
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