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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
When it comes to the Lord’s Church, slackers and opportunists need not apply! Why so? Because among those who believe, the Lord commands “…each one shall bear his own load.” (Galatians 6.5).
It is a given in the context of this verse that each Christian has a load to bear. Stated another way, there is work for all to do – NO EXCEPTIONS! The design of the Church of our Lord demands that such be the case. As we have previously observed in this column, although we are saved as individuals, we are not left alone to sink or swim. God designed it such that faithful believers are part of a larger community of believers (the Church). This body of believers, at least all who are faithful, have many common goals and interests.
It is no accident that the biblical figures which represent the Church are living and functioning entities. She may have been built upon a rock, but she isn’t one! The Church is represented as a body, a building of lively (living) stones, a bride, a flock, etc., etc. The Church has a mission, but like any corporate entity, it can only do its work through the people who make it up. If it is to be nurtured, it will be people who do it. If she is to be fervent, it will be because her members are fervent. If she is to teach, the lost can only hear when believers faithfully tell the old, old story. If she is to be compassionate toward the less fortunate, the sole means by which she can show this face is through the empathy of her members.
There is an entirely practical side to the requirement to bear our own burdens. I understand that there are times when we all need help and are forced to depend on others to do our share for a time until we can get back on our feet. This verse does not deal with that eventuality; it was addressed three verses earlier. But, the duty of bearing one’s own burden certainly applies except in cases of emergency or circumstances beyond one’s own control. The elitists of Jesus’ day had a scheme by which they sought to get around their obligations; they simply called something Corban (see Mark 7.11), and they thought that their burdens were lifted off their shoulders; they were slackers and they were wrong! Such trickery may fool men, but it is certainly of no avail with God.
As noted earlier, the Church has a God-given mission to accomplish. And this being true, who has to bear the responsibility of achieving this mission? The answer is really quite obvious; we who are her members have this obligation. Yet it is a sad but true fact that in the average congregation twenty per cent of the people give eighty per cent of the funds, do eighty per cent of the work that is to be done, and in general carry eighty per cent of the burdens that are to be borne. Herein is the perennial enigma: Why is it this way? What is so special about the twenty per cent? Are they more able, have more time, more resources, more abilities, etc, than the eighty per cent? From personal observations and from comparing notes with others, the difference is not in abilities, resources, available time, or any other tangible asset; the difference is simply in attitude! They have a sense of duty (which by the way they see as a privilege) toward the Church and welcome the opportunity to serve.
While the Lord did not specify the amount of time or resources we are to give to His Church, it is still true that every person must bear his or her own burden. When members are satisfied to attend a congregation and do not give enough to pay for the lights, heat, and water that they consume, they can in no way be carrying their own burden; someone else pays their way or it simply wouldn’t be paid. Galatians 6.5 is not about money exclusively, but it is included. The application of this principle extends to every aspect of the Church’s work. “For each one shall bear his own load.”
Questions:
1. Could it be possible that some believers simply do not have a burden to bear?
2. Reading from Mark 7, what was meant by Corban? Did the usage of the term excuse those who used it from the responsibilities they sought to escape?
3. Have you ever heard of the eighty-twenty rule? Do you think it is true? Why or why not?
4. Will our failure or our successes in bearing our own burdens be overlooked by the Lord in the judgment (read Matthew 10.42 and Matthew 24.32-46 before answering)?
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