Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Ephesians 6:6
“Outward esteem, the praises of those round about us, their flattery and compliments, soon prove hollow, if they are all we have to feed upon. Looking good, looking clever, looking busy can consume much of our energy as we compete for medals in people-pleasing. We judge strangers by the clothes they wear. In some circles cleverness and intellectual ability are regarded highly. Being busy attracts praise. But are we doing what God wants us to be doing? Whose approval do we really want? The answer to that question will determine the values we live by. Listen to the comment from a devout Hebridean soul: Though we prospered little, yet we were rich in faith and unfearingness.”
Excerpt from the Hebridean Altars in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 601-602.
Our generous service must not aim to please people but God. In so doing, we may or may not attain wealth or praise but we will undoubtedly grow in faith and unfearingness.
Yesterday related to my GTP work, I launched my third CIM cohort of “Biblical Understanding of Management” with 36 students from across India and Nepal. We talked about this in light of the world in which we are managing. We may desire fruitful outcomes in the roles in which we serve, but our focus must be to execute the tasks God has given us to do and trust Him to give us the fruits He’s prepared for us.
Fear often comes into play when we try to control outcomes and results. Why take this approach? We must because we are slaves or servants of Christ.
When we focus on faithful work, God takes care of the outcomes or results. Remember in Acts when the first disciples devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of break, and prayer? Then the Lord added to their number daily those that are being saved. Numbers matter, but not in a way that draws praise to us. They must glorify God.
So, in the end, when we follow God’s design for our generous service, the result is faith and also unfearingness. We are fearless regardless of the times because our trust is in God alone.