Too many teachers?

[ZiSunka]

I had a conversation with an unsaved person in which she said she objected to Christianity because Christians seem to just want to prove that they should be on top.  She said, "Too many are trying to be teachers and preachers and authors, even though they don't know what they are talking about, and not enough are willing to clean toilets.  Didn't Jesus say the ones who serve on earth will be the greatest in heaven?"

What do you think?  Are there too many teachers/preachers/authors and not enough servants?

 

[GraftMeIn]

Hi lambslove,
I think a good christian shouldn't be trying to prove that they should be on top. There's also alot of false teachers out there, so not every teacher she comes across is going to be a good one. I keep thinking of a certain televangelist that claims to have the gift of prophecy, but if you want to hear what it is, you have to buy his tapes or books, because he's afraid of who might be listening over the air waves. The question that comes to my mind is if God gives someone a prophecy then aren't they supposed to share it with everyone? That same person he's afraid of can buy the tape or book, and doesn't he trust in God enough to protect him? so what I'm thinking is maybe your friend is thinking about these type of teachers. something else she may need to understand is that God is our greatest teacher of all, It's him we need to trust in for learning and not so much other people, but there are many times he does use us to teach each other things, and when he does it's awesome

 

[aggie03]

Something that you might have said to her is this - we are commanded to serve God, this is what I believe was meant about serving. Christ didn't say that with the intention that we were all to become someone else's butler once we are a Christian - but rather in all that you do serve God! We are to work without complaint so that someone might see us and wonder how we have the courage, the strength to go to work everyday and do the same things over and over with a cheerful smile and a joyful heart. Then you you might have an opportunity to share the truth with them. Spreading the gospel is also a way that we serve God - we were ordered by Him to do so. I don't think that there are enough people trying to spread the truth. I will agree that there are many people who profess and preach things that don't agree with the truth of the Lord - this is why it is important for those who do to let others know about it.

Summary: We are to serve Christ in all that we do, one of these methods of serving Him is spreading the truth about Him. The more we spread the truth the better. When are there enough people preaching the truth - when everyone alive is a Christian.

 

[Andrew]

you shld tell her that there are many servants -- just that these Christians dont get noticed or are not in the spotlight becos they serve behind the scenes.

 

[ZiSunka]

I don't know, those answers don't sound sound to me. Not that I'm saying you are wrong, just that they are too shallow. Saying that "leading is serving" seems almost like a non-answer.

Why don't more Christians take humble jobs? Why do we honor doctors and lawyers, but not janitors and cooks?

 

[GraftMeIn]

I think lots of Christians do take humble jobs, maybe it's just harder to see because the ones who do take humble jobs are not in the public eye as much as say a doctor or lawyer is. I have cleaned toilets, I have been an employee to many others, I have done landscaping and dug in the dirt, spent hours working out in the rain, heat, and whatever else has been tossed my way. It's kind of funny when I think about it, the fact that at one time I prayed for a job because I didn't want to look for one, then through the church, by the grace of God, a job fell into my lap, The job was a janitorial job cleaning a restaurant after hours, and I did thank God for it!

 

[GraftMeIn]

oooops! sorry one more thing lol!
As christians, The bible teaches not to treat anyone differently, We are to treat a poor man with the same respect we treat a rich one, no one is to be placed above any other, The only one we should be concerned about honoring is God.

 

[ZiSunka]

Then maybe we need to do better at praising the humble ones who take the lowly jobs, and be less quick to praise the ones who are famous simply because they are famous? Maybe instead of "doctors' appreciation day" at church, there should be "medical assistants' appreciation day"? And instead of only having receptions for the visiting artist or author, it might be a good idea to have a reception for the janitors and trash collectors, to thank them for the important services they provide?

 

[GraftMeIn]

We should be praising no one but God. We should be thankful for the janitors, and trash collectors just as much as we are of the doctors etc... when you stop and think about it, the trash collectors, and janitors keep our world sanitary, and in a clean condition, without them our doctor bills would be outrageous. without them we would be wandering around in each others filth. ewwwww ick!

So praise God for the Janitors!

and just another added note about teachers in churches, Church is where God places the teachers. Since we go to church to learn about the word of God, It only makes sense that they're there. but if they are seeking to please the people   instead of God, then we better be worried.

So praise God for the teachers who seek to please God!

and pray for the ones who seek to please the people. 

 

[ZiSunka]

hmm, but when I say "teachers" I mean the ones who have tv shows and books and such and make a lot of money off the word of God.

 

[GraftMeIn]

oh and there's lots of those out there!
and it can be hard to tell who's in it for the money, and who's in it to spread the word of God, and are truely working for him.

For this very reason we each as individuals need to depend on God to be our one, and only, true teacher. He can teach us so much, and we need only to ask him to do this. Only then will we be able to discern the false teachers, from the ones working to do Gods will.

 

[Jenna]

Sometimes I think that there are just too many people who want to be recognized for their actions, including areas of faith. I also have a niggling suspicion that it leads some folks to make claims that are not really true, like the gift of prophecy, in order to make money and to make themselves seem more important. Afterall, what turns more heads, a gift of Discernment or a gift of prophecy?

 

[aggie03]

None of us should want recognition for our actions as far as our faith in concerned - for we are not righteous through any means of our own. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) - none of us are worthy of salvation. This means that the only way that we are even capable of obtaining the unobtainable (through our own means) is by the grace of God and our obedience to His will. I would question anyone who demands recognitions for something that is not of themselves. For if they are truly a Christian, then all that they do should be for the glory of Christ. Jesus himself tells us that those who seek their rewards and recognition in this life have truly been given all that they will receive in this life - i.e. no salvation afterwards. That was one of the bigger problems the Pharisees had.

Also, the gifts that you listed aren't around any more. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 13. He tells us that when the perfect comes (the scriptures) that the imperfect (spiritual gifts like tounges and prophecy) will be done away with. Maybe we need to start a new thread over this, if we do let me know where it's at.

 

[ZiSunka]

Whoa! This has gotten off-track if you think I'm saying that people should seek honor! I'm saying exactly the opposite. I'm saying that we Christians tend to honor those people who perform some functions (preachers with large followings and lots of books) and neglect others who perform equally important services. Where would that famous preacher preach if no one scrubbed the floors and cleaned to bathrooms of the church?

If Jesus called us to be lowly and servant-like, why do we get all aflutter over some preacher or Christian musician who is famous and rich, and but act like the janitor is invisible? Aren't they BOTH doing service to God?