This post may brand me as a heretic. I’m fine with that. Here’s the background.
I was confronted with this thought during one of my classes for my D.Min. The professor wondered aloud if Angelina Jolie was doing the work of God. I wondered if Bill Gates was doing the work of God. Is it really that far fetched to consider?
Consider the Old Testament. Think of all the times that God used the nations around Isreal to carry out his judgment on God’s people. God used Balaam in Numbers 23-24 tp bless Israel, not curse them. How about Moses’ Father-in-Law, the Edomites getting Joseph to Egypt, and Artexerses in Nehemiah providing all that Nehemiah would need to restore the wall.
Now consider the New Testament. Wise men from the East came and announced the birth of the Savior. Judas performed the work of God, even ministered in the name of Christ, and was the one who would betray the Savior.
I didn’t say they were God-followers, just being used by God to accomplish His purpose. And they didn’t even have a clue they were doing it!
When the church lays down it’s responsibility, God will use whatever and whomever He wishes to love people, carry out His message, carry out His justice, and provide for His people.
Is Angelina Jolie doing the work of God through the U.N.? In many ways, I think she is. Is Bill Gates? In some ways he is. They need to be prayed for. Who knows, in the mighty providence of God maybe they will become Christ-followers. If not, they are feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and doing God’s work.
I have always said that the guys at Pimp My Ride were doing God’s work.
Kevin,
I don’t know you well enough to know if you’re joking or what. I know the show, but I’m unsure as to the meaning of what you’re saying.
Only a tiny bit joking. I love those guys!
Both Kevin and I are agreeing with you. Although at least in terms of New Orleans, I’m not sure if Brad and Angelina are doing God’s work or not. Rebuilding the ghettos in the same way they were before is not the answer, it only compounds the already pitiful situation. But that’s more opinion about their work itself, not a disagreement whether they could or not. I’m with you.
Here are some thoughts along these lines, David.
http://hereiblog.wordpress.com/2007/02/17/is-madonna-doing-the-work-of-christians/
I came across the Madonna article and thought of your post later.
Mark
Mark,
Thanks for stopping by and your post was a good read. I saw the Madonna article this morning but have yet to read it.
First, let me say that I agree with much of what you said. Unless we get them living water, they’ll still die thirsty. However, if we don’t give people physical water, will they really care about the Living, spiritual water?
It is a crying shame that Angelina Jolie and Bill Gates are doing work that the church was and is supposed to be doing. Are they doing it for their own righteousness? Maybe. But didn’t Paul say in Philippians 1 that the motive wasn’t important, just that Christ was preached? Their motive may be selfish, but why is it so far fetched to think that God may be using their status and money to draw attention to a problem that the Church heretofor has yet to address. Where is the outcry from the church?
I don’t think we should be following their example. I think we need to be leading the charge. We need to be outpacing them. The church in USAmerica has assessts in excess of 1 trillion dollars. Why are we letting this world go without food, clothing, and other life essentials? It’s a shame what we’re not doing.
If God wants to speak through a donkey, I’ll let him. If God wants to work through those that don’t follow or know him, I’ll let him. He’s God, I’m not. If He did it in the OT and NT, then why can’t He do it now? Has He changed His mind or the way he works?
Now, please know this, I’m not saying you said all those things. You’re a sweat tea lover (boy I miss that living here in Delaware now!), so you can’t be bad, unless you’re an Auburn fan (Roll Tide) !! I’m just taking a moment to expound on my thoughts.
I really appreciate you dropping by and thank you for your ministry and service to Christ.
Blessings!
DP
DP,
Thanks and I understand. I know our feelings and language can take us too far one way or another. I’ve been on both sides.
I am torn because I want to encourage my fellow congregants to stop just “going to church” and to “be the church” that we are supposed to be. Paul Washer has said some things about the American church that I agree with. We are so Americanized that we’d be disfellowshipped in some of the countries where he plants churches.
My being torn comes in way of the church members not knowing Scripture and not doing anything. I surely would like to organize locally in my community and go out with the Gospel. But when 20 people in SS class just sit and stare when asked “What is the Gospel?” It is really tough. This is where I am coming from.
Ed Stetzer answered my question well over on the baptist theology blog with Tim Keller’s 5 points which include education and action.
Thanks,
Mark
David, you are right on target here, along with some others who have commented. If we do not meet the physical needs of those whom we perceive to have spiritual needs, our preaching will fall on deaf ears. In 13 years of parenting, I have learned just a few things. I cannot discipline my child when he is hungry. He has a primary physical need of hunger that must first be met before he can comprehend that which I am trying to teach him. I cannot discipline my daughter when she is exhausted. She has a primary physical need of rest that must be met before she can comprehend that which I am trying to teach her. And so it is with those who are yet blind to the truth of Jesus Christ. Let’s look at the closing words of Matthew 25:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34″Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Ok…long passage, but look at what it teaches us. Jesus did not say to the sheep on His right, “Alright…all of you guys had perfect Sunday School attendance…and, uh…you tithed 15%…and…oh yeah, you led the SBC in baptisms 40 years in a row…..and…..you had an $8 million building and growth campaign (nothing wrong with buildings and growth…I’m all for that)…..and….oh yeah, one more thing…..you had the finest choir and orchestra in the state.” Jesus said nothing close to that. He said that those on the right met the needs of “the least of these”. Those on the right found the Heart of God and took care of people because it was the right thing to do, not because it would get them “in church” so we could count their nickles and noses. Those on the right cared for people…they extended the Love of God to their fellow man, regardless of race, socio-economic standing, level of hygiene or strength of odor or fragrance. A song that I used to sing said, “I could stand within a prison or a palace…Before the lowest of men, or a king. The eyes of God look far beyond crowns or shackles. That’s why, to all, this same sweet message I must bring.” As long as I am quoting, it has been said that you have no chance of cleaning the fish that you cannot catch. I totally agree. Do people needs God’s love? Yes. Do people need Jesus? Absolutely. The real question is this: Are we willing to put ourselves in position to share the deep truths of God’s love by meeting their basic needs?