You don’t build the Church. Jesus does.

Jesus said in Matthew 16, “I will build my Church.” The church belongs to Jesus, who ensures its building. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church because it belongs to Christ. We, the people of God, don’t build anything when it comes to the universal Church, but we can strengthen it. 

So, what part does your church play in seeing the Church of Jesus Christ strengthened? How can your church ensure you are doing everything in your power to see that the witness of Christ is going forward and that the larger body of Christ is blessed and built up? Why is this even important? Can you actually help? If so, how and why?

Stewardship

Stewardship. This is how and why we help. Take a look at Matthew 25:14-15:

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.”

If we interpret this text broadly, a “talent” could mean an ability God has given someone or a Spiritual gift he has bestowed upon an individual. In this context, though, a “talent” represented a monetary value. God gives different people different amounts of wealth—all of which come from his hand. We are God’s servants, and what he gives to us, he entrusts to us. That means, what we have is not even ours in the first place. Our wealth is not our wealth. Our talents are not our talents. Our gifts are not our gifts. All these things are God’s; he has entrusted us with them. Ask yourself this question: How am I stewarding the gifting, resources, and influence God has graciously given me? Further, How is my church stewarding the gifting, resources, and influence God has graciously given us?

Now, a steward can be defined like this: A steward is someone entrusted with another’s wealth or property and responsible for managing it in the owner’s best interest. The goal of a steward is faithfulness. We must be found trustworthy. Going back to Matthew 25, one person is given five talents, another is given two, and another is given only one. The people that wisely stewarded the five talents and two talents were affirmed and their faithfulness was celebrated, honored, and rewarded. They were the recipients of these words:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)

But, the person given only one talent, who did nothing with it, was rebuked. He didn’t steward what he was entrusted with well. This person’s talent, gift, and influence were taken away, and a harsh and severe judgment awaited him. This is how seriously God takes stewardship. We, too, will stand before God and give an account of our lives. We will be asked, “Have you been faithful?” and “Have you been a trustworthy steward of your family, intellect, talent, skills, and finances?”

From a corporate standpoint, a faithful church doesn’t just spend money, time, and influence on themselves. This is not a “well done good and faithful church” mindset. Instead, a faithful church commits to advancing the Kingdom by using the gifts, resources, and influence God has graciously given her to strengthen the big “C” Church. How do we do this?

Give, Serve, Go

First, we strengthen the Church through our giving. When we give, needs are met—plain and simple. Our giving honors the Lord as it helps us break the back of greed in our own life and demonstrates our trust in God’s provision.

Second, we strengthen the Church through our service. Yes, your local church is strengthened when you serve, but so is the universal Church. Whenever we serve and use the spiritual gifts God has given us, we make the Church stronger too. Paul wrote about this in Ephesians 4:11-12. He writes, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” We build up the body and strengthen the body when we use our spiritual gifts to serve the body. If you are not using your spiritual gifts to strengthen the Church, you are missing a large part of what God has designed for your life.

Third, we strengthen the church through our going. I’m talking specifically about going on mission trips. When we go locally, nationally, and internationally on mission trips, we go for the express purpose of helping a pastor and/or a local church, and what does this do? It strengthens the Church. I realize not everyone can go across the sea, and some may not be able to leave their house. You can pray, though, and your prayers make an eternal difference.

If you keep your focus on these things—on giving, serving, and going—you will hear the words we all want to hear one day, “Well done thy good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”