Kingdom Utility
Growing in Our Awareness of How God Uses Us
I’ve been reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3 this morning, where Paul says one plants, another waters, but God gives the growth. We’re God’s fellow workers, but the increase belongs to Him. That is a sweet balance too many Christians lose sight of.
As believers, we want to be useful. We want God to use us. We want our lives to count for Christ and His kingdom. That’s a good desire.
We’re often most aware of our kingdom utility when God uses us for the spiritual good of others. Preaching, teaching, prayer, counsel, encouragement, evangelism, discipleship, hospitality, bearing burdens, correcting sin, comforting the hurting, and speaking truth at the right moment all come to mind immediately.
Over the years, I’ve watched believers grow in their awareness of usefulness as they give themselves to ordinary, accessible ministry. Three especially stand out.
Three Places to Start
Hospitality is one of the most accessible ways to increase kingdom utility. A clean home, a prepared meal, a warm sitting space, and a thoughtful table are real investments in the good of the body. Don’t despise the usefulness of an open door.
Encouragement is also within reach. Many saints are weary, discouraged, tempted, lonely, or quietly burdened. A timely word, a thoughtful text, a note, a phone call, or a prayer after church can strengthen the weak.
Evangelism brings us into direct contact with usefulness. Go with the church. Pray with the church. Speak with the church. Labor with the church in gospel proclamation. Not everyone has the same boldness, but every Christian can care about the lost.
Hidden Usefulness
Not all usefulness is immediately felt. Some kingdom utility is hidden.
A mother teaching and correcting children day after day is useful. A father getting up, going to work, carrying responsibility, and providing for his household is useful. A wife ordering the home, keeping meals, laundry, schedules, and needs from becoming chaos is useful. A husband absorbing frustration, speaking gently, and leading his family without harshness is useful. Caring for aging parents is useful. Hidden prayer is useful. Faithful church attendance is useful. Enduring hardship without bitterness is useful. Working honestly is useful. Forgiving quickly is useful. Remaining steadfast over decades is useful.
These things may not give us the immediate sense of usefulness that comes from preaching, sharing the gospel, counseling a hurting saint, encouraging the discouraged, or hosting people around our table. But they’re not wasted. The Lord sees them. The Lord uses them for His glory.
So pursue usefulness eagerly. Open your home. Encourage the saints. Proclaim the gospel. Pray. Counsel. Disciple. Serve.
And then rest.
Your usefulness isn’t measured merely by your awareness of it.
One plants. Another waters. God gives the growth.