Topic: Balance in the Church
Reading: Romans 12:3-8
Introduction and Overview
There is an important point that underpins these scriptures today. There should be balance in the church. Within the church there should be balance as no person is any greater or lesser than any other.
Do you ever look at other members of your church and think they are better, greater, more blessed, or more loved by God? Conversely, do you ever look at other members of the church and think you are better than they? While most Christians would readily recognise that second behaviour as signs of pride and arrogance, the first behaviour has faults too.
The truth is, no-one is greater or lesser than anyone else in the church. And they should not be treated any differently than anyone else either. The “veteran” Christian who has been with the Lord for decades is no better or worse than the new convert. The person on the pulpit preaching the word is no better than the person receiving the word.
There should be balance in the church because in Christ, we are all equal. We see this balance in the church spoken about in these scriptures today. It is a lesson well worth remembering and learning because it is based upon love.
Key points from reading:
- No-one should think they are higher or lesser than anyone else
- Every person in the church is there for a reason and to minister in different ways
- We all need to do our own ministry for the benefit, encouragement, and upbuilding of the whole church.
Discussion:
- Scripture: Romans 12:3
- We are no better or worse than anyone else in the church. None of us has the right to think more highly of ourselves as compared to others. In fact we should not even compare ourselves to others, as the scripture says:
“Not that we venture to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Corinthians 10:12) - Paul exhorts us to think with sober judgement. By that he means to stop and weigh things up carefully and correctly. When we are looking at ourselves or others, we need to remember that every persons circumstances, abilities, gifts, background, attitudes, and so on are different. Everyone is good at certain things that others are not. Some are good with people, some are good with numbers, some are artistic, some are compassionate, some can comfort those in need, some are able to support others in various ways. But not everyone is able to do all of those things. And at certain times, one thing will be more important than the rest, while at other times the reverse may occur.
- The point is, we cannot think more highly of ourselves because we have certain gifts or abilities from the Lord that others do not. They have gifts and abilities that we do not. And all of our gifts and abilities need to be employed in service to the Lord and the church for the benefit of all. This is aimed at bringing balance in the church.
- We are no better or worse than anyone else in the church. None of us has the right to think more highly of ourselves as compared to others. In fact we should not even compare ourselves to others, as the scripture says:
- Scripture: Romans 12:4-5
- These two verses strengthen the points made above. The church has many members and all members do not have the same function or purpose in the church. Paul compares the body of the church to our physical bodies. The physical body is made of many different organs and they all do different things. The brain does not do what the kidneys do. The lungs do not do what the stomach does. The heart does not do what your skin does. But which of these could you do without? Every organ in the body is important and serves a critical purpose in maintaining balance in our life.
- So too in the church. Balance in the church is achieved when all parts of the church are working together in perfect harmony, and there is no one person dominating others. Every member of the church has a place and a purpose. All have a function within the church, even those who seem to do nothing but just sit and listen to the message each week. After all, without a congregation, to whom would the preacher preach?
- So, the church is not one individual, but many individuals coming together, all of whom have their place and purpose. And it is only when all members are in harmony that there is balance in the church.
- Scripture: Romans 12:6-8
- God gives gifts to the church. These gifts are not just the obvious ministry gifts discussed in Ephesians chapter 4: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists. In these few verses we see that each member of the church who has a gift should employ that gift for the benefit of the members of the church. And he talks about gifts of service, contributions, mercy, exhortation, giving aid, as well as prophecy, teaching, and so on. All of the gifts are important and none is more important than any other. Balance in the church is only possible when all are working together in perfect harmony.
- And we not here that the gifts each person has are different from what others receive. All are given to us by the grace of God and they are the gifts that He determines are best for us and best for those in the church. God does not give someone a gift they cannot handle, or is counter to their nature.
- So, whatever gift God has given each of us, let us use it within the church for the purpose of building up the body. And let us use our gifts graciously, joyfully, and cheerfully because we are helping our brothers and sisters in Christ, according to His will.
- The principle of balance in the church is evident throughout the scriptures. For example:
13 I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, 14 but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” (2 Corinthians 8:13-15) - God did not set up His church so that one person would be burdened at the expense of another. That was never His way. Many churches are struggling today because they have dumped massive workloads on their pastors and ministers. They too are just people like you and I, and they have their breaking points too. Balance in the church should lead to the situation described in the verse above. Equality where everyone is equally served and equally able to serve, without undue burden or pressure.
Prayer Points
- Pray to God asking Him to show you how you can use your special gifts and abilities in the service of your church and the people in the church. Also if you can see some are overburdened, ask God to help you or others to relieve their burdens so there can be balance in the church.