Diverting Water

How do we know where and when to expend our time and energy? Yesterday I wrote about how even menial tasks can be worthwhile, if we are fulfilling God’s purpose. I referred to 1^st Corinthians 3:5-9, where Paul talks about planting and watering, each person doing his/her assigned tasks in service to God. Well, I feel like I need to qualify this a bit more.

Sometimes we take on responsibilities in the name of God. Church projects like mission trips, church ministries, building collections, and service projects are good examples of this. I have fallen prey to individuals and groups who use God’s name to further their own vision. It usually starts with good intentions of serving God but ends up as a promotional marketing tactic that advances the group’s agenda.

Let’s say that God plants a garden and assigns us the task of watering it. What if we start planting seeds of our own in the adjoining plot and divert the water that is meant for God’s garden into our own? What if we convince others to come work in our plot pretending that it’s all part of God’s garden?

We must be able to differentiate between God’s purposes and counterfeits that may have similar labels. We have to be careful not to divert the resources that are meant for God’s sphere of influence.

“Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted.” (1 Tim. 4:15-16 MSG)