There are three main types of believers: observers, consumers/users and servants

For several days we have been discussing the blessedness of ministry. We established that through ministry we become entitled for continuous flow of God’s mercy. Ministry to others always fills our lives with blessings. But we shouldn’t be motivated by the desire to get God’s blessings; our motive is love for God and people which God sends into your life.

There are three main types of believers: observers, consumers/users and servants. What type of a believer are you? What are you: an observer, a user or a servant? Today we will attempt to establish what distinguishes observers and consumers from servants.

Observes do not care for what goes on around them; they demonstrate indifference. What happens in church does not concern him; he thinks that he only needs to attend Sunday services. He is there for the worship and the sermon and it is enough for him. Such a believer has no problems; he is doing fine at work and at home. He simply observes the events around him and he is happy. If you are an observer, then you must become a servant. God desires to change observers into ministers. The problem of observers is that Satan takes up all their time and gives them assignments. If a believer has been observing and has been inactive for a very long time, he tends to turn into a critic and judge.

Observers start saying: «This is bad! I don’t like it! This is a good sermon; I like it! But I don’t like that one. This brother is a good minister, but that one is not; I don’t like him». Observers only criticize; they have a lot of time to find fault with others. The ones that are immersed into ministry do not have time for such things.

The problem of consumers is that they are seeking for one thing only: they want others to solve their problems. The whole world revolves around them. Such people often start judging others. They say: «There is no love in this person, because he does not see my problem and is not working to solve it». Consumers only think of themselves.

A person once came to Pastor Yonggi Cho asking to pray for his problem. Pastor said to him: «I want you to pray for the revival in our country». It seemed so interesting to me: a person has a problem, he comes to be prayed for, and the pastor tells him that God also has a problem; the pastor tells him not to think of his own problems, but to think and to pray for God’s problem – to pray for the revival in the country.

A consumer is only interested in the solution of his problems. «Oh, I am so ill! I don’t have a job. There are no changes at home. I have so many problems. Pray for me! I want ministers to come to me». As human beings we can understand his situation. I am not saying we shouldn’t see the problems of others; of course, we have to. But his problem is that this is the only thing a consumer is concerned about: solution of his problems. Jesus also had problems, but He was out there to solve the problems of others.

«Let each of you look out no only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. (..) But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel»(Philippians, 2:4-7, 19-22).

In this passage of Scripture Paul says that all seek their own interests. Paul was looking for true ministers, but there were very few of those. Why? Most people tend to seek their own interests. Paul often said: «This one left me. That one left me. They loved this world more». Why? When a person seeks his own interests he goes where it is profitable for him, despite the worldly and sinful influence of such actions.

What category of believers are you? It is a very important question. You still have time to change everything. God is still knocking on the door of your heart, and He desires for you to see that only servants are truly happy. We can please God only when we serve others.

Tomorrow we will discuss the third type of believers – servants. I wish you abundant God’s blessings!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboye