So, as I am out there "deadheading" my roses, I began to ask the Lord what I could learn through this exercise and the Lord brought this to my mind: in the Church today, there are many "deadheads"....people who go to worship, and take what the preacher gives, take from the other ministries (as a babysitting service, childcare, Sunday School teacher, etc) and never contribute one thing. They are also the first to complain when things don't scratch their itch and they rarely if ever give their tithes and additional offerings to the Church, especially during these economic times (as if God isn't aware of the strain and therefore relieves us of our obligation to tithe and thus strengthen our faith!)
Deadheads in our Churches suck all the nourishment out of the Church, yet they are not blooming, not contributing, not ministering....
So the question behooves all of us: are you a deadhead? (don't get mad at me! but if the shoe fits....) are you being poured into and not pouring out? are you being poured into and not receiving and thus have nothing to pour out? are you taking and not giving back? (I am also aware that there are times of struggle, where some need to be poured into and just receive and can't give back at that time....God knows our hearts, and He's good with that)
This is not to condemn or to shame anyone. It is however to stop and make us think. Have we taken on the mentality that it is the pastor's job, or the other staff people's job, or the certain lay leaders who seem to know what they are doing, or the more talented people, or the more beautiful people, or______________________ (you fill in the blank).
I Corinthians 12:7 says. "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
May we be challenged that our existence is not for our own selfish pleasures, but for others......for the salvation of the lost and the edifying of the Body of Christ.
And may we no longer find deadheads in our Churches, but rather those blooming with the gifts of the Spirit, and filling our Churches with the fragrance of Christ.
Amen Jena. What a amazing church we would have if everyone came ready to give to the service, ready to praise the Lord and give 100% to Him! Can you imagine?