Called to Obey

Having worked in urban ministry for a few years and ministered to the poor I am often commended by many Christians who tell me "what a great thing you're doing!" Some mention it as if ministering to the poor is a specific calling that only a few are called and equipped to do. That attitude continually fuels my fire help Christians understand the difference between calling and obedience.

While there are certainly some who are uniquely gifted in the area of mercy that certainly doesn't shut out the rest from engaging the poor. While some are called to be bridge builders and conduits who devote their lives to helping the poor, everyone is actually commanded to love the poor and do justice. Unfortunately we have used the excuse that we are not "called" to the area of ministry to the poor. We often want to leave that up to the experts.

There is a distinct difference between obedience and calling. We all should obey God's call to defend the fatherless, orphan and widow; love our neighbor; learn to do good to all men; and seek justice. It doesn't mean everyone is called to specifically give their entire lives to reaching the poor, but it does mean that as a child of the true and living God you will be concerned for poor and marginalized. God's grace doesn't allow for you to leave ministry to the poor for the "experts" only. It means you will pray, use your finances, devote a small portion of your time, and engage in some level of service to the work of justice especially in your own city. Every single Christian should spend some time and resources toward ministering to the poor whether you feel a specific calling or not. To not do so is disobedience.

We make the excuse that we are not called or gifted to minister to the poor but that is a cop out. One could easily say they are not called or given the gift of evangelism. Does that then mean we should not share our faith with the world around us? The fact that we may not be specifically called to minister to the poor does not over rule the fact that we are called to obey God's word in the area of justice and mercy. Every Christian has something to give the poor. I believe that when the church begins to truly use all of its members for ministering to the poor, the world will be forced to say "look at that city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden." They will see our good works (corporately) and we will reflect the glory to our Father in heaven.

JW