'FULL TIME SERVICE'

Recently, some one spoke of being in 'full-time service for the Lord'

My mind lingered on this phrase - just where had it come from, and what did it mean to that person and to Christendom at large ?

'Full time service' would presumably and generally mean or conveys, a person who spends most of their time in promoting or furthering some religious or Church establishment, and its programmes and influence.
A person who perhaps has given up some 'secular' employment, and instead is on the payroll of a structured religious group or 'Church' assembly.

And the phrase is often spoken of in somewhat revered tones, as being imminently desirable, a 'higher calling' than that of other mortals who earn a living in what they refer to as 'secular' employment ( but who most times by offerings actually pay their salary !)

But having read the Scripture most keenly, I cannot find any where that God differentiates between the 'sacred' and the 'secular' - it simply does not exist in the New Testament (Sure there was a priestly class – the Levis - amongst the tribes of Israel, but we are now under Grace, not Law, and we are now all priests unto God )

So, what of me and other lesser mortals who have regular employment or careers., and support themselves and their family and all manner of other things and people.
Those followers of the lamb who have not derived any income from a religious group or 'Church' establishment – are we any the lesser for doing such ?

Are we, who have paid our own way, without payment or salary, but yet have made countless sacrifices both physical, material and financial, who have served the 'Master' our God, in simplicity and totality, but who have steered clear of becoming yet another burden on a cumbersome structured religious system – what about us ?

For me, as for countless others – my 'FULL-TIME SERVICE' began the moment I was 'born – again' When I confessed, repented, and committed myself to serving my new found Master TOTALLY, with each and every breath, every day seeking to do His will, WHERE-EVER, HOW-EVER, He would lead - not necessarily within the confines, (and confines they undoubtedly are) of a relentless structured religious system, with its constant demands on finances and energy just to keep the system ticking over.
A 'bottomless pit' system that would drain most any person of their energy and vitality, and eventually leave them spent on their shores – and all in the name of doing God's will and extending his Kingdom (and I often ask – just whose Kingdom are they extending ?) His burden is light and His yoke is easy Matthew 11:30

And so countless Men of God have found out the same – John Wesley, Whitfield, Sadu Sundar Singh, Torrey, Finney, etc, etc etc that every breath we take is 'full – time' service after we have been called of God unto Himself

Indeed, the so called 'full-time' religious exponents have traded being available to be 'led by the Spirit' where-so-ever he listeth, John 3 :8 for material and financial security, and some pale degree of being fulfilled and satisfied in playing a role in keeping a religious system in operation, amongst generally spoon-fed immature baby Christians, who most times would be far better off if exercised to seek God earnestly for themselves!

So, spare me the religious 'full-time ministry' philosophy clap-trap, and let me follow the Master's example of going about doing good wherever God led him, without charge. Acts 10:38

Just like St Paul, who kept his regular job of tent-making, that he would not be chargeable to any man, and who even supported those companions who were with him.
Acts 18:3, 20:34, 1Corinthians 4:12, 1Thessalonians 2:9, 2Thessalonians 3:8

and then the Book of Acts of the Holy Spirit and the empowered Apostles and followers of the Lamb who 'turned the world upside down' Acts 17:6

Just a footnote ....
During a time of prison visiting, one inmate looked straight at me and asked - “do you get paid for coming here ?”
“Absolutely not” I answered “but why do you ask ?”
“Oh, if you were getting paid, that would be it, - we may come just to get out of our cells, but we wouldn't really listen to any who are paid for coming into here”

So, even those in the world recognise Jesus words of advice -
Freely you have received – freely give Matthew 10 : 8, 9