Vocational

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The gifts of service appear within the body of Christ as it is given within the body by God. Note well that these gifts are not for the glory of men, not for honor of me, but both to the glory of God and the building up of His church, the bride of Christ to be all that He would have His bride to be in this life.

Just as with the natural talents, these gifts of service best serve God by remaining faithful to their calling, to their vocation, and do not seek secular success. Yet men are men and do see themselves to be messengers of God and that the message is more important than He who sent them, if God sent them at all. These services are vocationally available to anyone who would seek it. Success does not identify the gift.

Philippians 1:15-18 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Once again, as with the natural talent, do not look to those who serve as being anything other than servants, that the gift given might be seen in the fruits of the labor by the effectual workings of the Spirit within the body to build up and further the growth of the bride in righteousness and holiness.

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