MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025

The Dignity of Service and the Danger of Comparison in the Body of Christ

Author: Pastor E. A. Adeboye & Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye

MESSAGE: FOCUS ON YOUR CALLING

The Christian life, particularly within the context of the local church, is one of collective effort yet individual assignment. Every believer is called to a unique role, contributing to the overall health and function of the Body of Christ. Yet, human nature often struggles with the concept of shared glory, leading to a constant temptation toward comparison, competition, and the pursuit of external validation.

This internal struggle was present even among Jesus’s closest disciples. As recorded in Luke 22:24, “there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” Jesus addressed this immediately, turning the worldly concept of leadership upside down and establishing a Kingdom principle: Greatness is found in service.

The essence of this message is a powerful directive to focus on your calling. Your worth and reward are determined by your faithfulness to the task God gave you, not by the visibility or perceived glamour of another person’s assignment. Your time to serve is now, for as the Scripture warns, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

1. The Deception of Visible Ministry

It is common in church settings for leadership to publicly appreciate certain departments—such as the music ministry—for an “outstanding performance” that made the service “glorious.” While celebrating excellence is right, attributing the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit to the most visible department can be erroneous and spiritually misleading.

The Unseen Hand of the Spirit

The reality of the spiritual economy is often hidden from human sight. The true power behind a “glorious service” may lie entirely with the unseen ministries:

The Sanitation Department: Their diligent, humble service might have cleared the atmosphere, reflecting a spirit of order and excellence that honors God and welcomes the Holy Spirit.

The Prayer Department: Their intense, raw manifestation of the Spirit in intercession, often conducted quietly in a back room, may have been the very force that blocked away the activities of demons and secured a spiritual breakthrough.

The Ushering and Protocol Team: Their lifestyle of holiness and power, exemplified through their humble, prayerful service, may have been the spiritual shield that protected the congregation.

The dear child of God must be discerning to know that ALL departments in a local assembly are equally important before God. Though some function in the background, their impact is undeniable, and all workers in such departments will certainly get their reward. God sees the heart and the motive, not just the spotlight.

2. The Danger of Unnecessary Comparison

The church is often compared to a human body, as articulated by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12. Every part—the eye, the ear, the hand, the foot—is essential. The illustration provided powerfully underscores this truth:

The Analogy of the Organs: If a person wants to dress gorgeously to a church service, but their kidney is not functioning properly, they cannot even stand up, walk, or dress well. A failing internal organ, though unseen, invalidates the external appearance.

Likewise, it is pointless to engage in unnecessary comparisons among the body of Christ. The person serving in the prayer closet is as vital as the one on the pulpit. The Sunday School teacher is as essential as the technical team running the sound. When we compare ourselves with others, we commit two errors:

Devaluing God’s Design: We imply that God made a mistake by giving us our specific gift or position.
Distracting Our Focus: We take our eyes off the Master and onto man, opening the door to envy, pride, and spiritual fatigue.

Beloved, focus on your calling until you see Jesus in glory rather than comparing yourself with others in the church.

3. The Kingdom Principle of Service

Jesus, in settling the dispute among His disciples regarding who was the greatest, established the revolutionary principle of servant leadership (Luke 22:25-27):

The World’s Standard: The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship, and those with authority are called “benefactors” (often demanding recognition).

The Kingdom’s Standard: Jesus declares, “But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”

Jesus Himself modeled this standard: “For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.“ The greatest person who ever lived—the Son of God—defined His identity on earth as a servant.

Dignity in the Task: Every act of service, no matter how small or hidden, is sanctified by the fact that Jesus Himself was a servant. When you serve in your role—whether cleaning, praying, teaching, or preaching—you are walking in the footsteps of the Master.

Reward in Faithfulness: Your reward will not be based on the applause of the crowd, but on your faithfulness to the task assigned by God. Every member who fulfills their role with integrity and diligence will receive their due recompense.

4. The Urgency of the Calling

The memory verse from Ecclesiastes 9:10 grounds our focus in the reality of time: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…”

The call to diligently fulfill your assignment is urgent because time is finite. The grace and opportunity to serve God in this life are temporary. In the grave, there is “no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom.” This emphasizes that our chance for impact, our season for service, is now.

Focus, Not Fumble: Do not waste your limited time and energy fretting over the assignments of others. The moment you start focusing on someone else’s gift, you fumble the use of your own.

Service with Might: Dedication means giving your best. It means serving with might—with energy, devotion, and excellence, knowing that you are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24).

The church of God moves “like a mighty army,” where every soldier has a distinct post. We are not divided, but “all one body.” Let your focus be locked on your unique calling, and serve with the assurance that every member of the church is important before God.

KEY POINT

Every member of the church is important before God; don’t compare yourself with others.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Jeremiah 6:16-8:7 Colossians 2:8-23

HYMN 12: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

1 Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to War,

With the cross of Jesus going on before!

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;

Forward into battle, see his banner go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

With the cross of JesUs going on before!