It can be very easy to be overwhelmed by all the needs around you, especially if you are serving and are involved in many ministries at your church. There are always more people in need, there’s always someone else whom you could help, but you’ve got to do what Jesus has called you to do. Remember Jesus’ response to the Pharisee’s rebuke of the woman who (from their perspective) wasted too much of her resources on worship and (so they thought) she should have done more for the poor? Jesus said “the poor will always be with you.” Practical physical ministry is very important, but keep in mind, it was only ever about 11% of the “budget” (the tithes collected) for Israel. A church’s purpose isn’t to alleviate poverty, we’re gospel warriors, not social-gospel crusaders. If you’re not using your talents to advance the gospel, you’ve missed the mission.
Each of us have a purpose and a specific part of God’s mission. Though we are all called to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God,” we also need to keep in mind that you (as an individual) are not called to help everybody in every way. Don’t let ministry “along the way” sidetrack you from the ministry God has uniquely gifted and called you to. Jesus was surrounded by the poor, the hungry, and the sick; and he helped them as he could, but that wasn’t really why he was here. Those in need would have kept him from leaving if he had not walked away… sometimes, you just need to walk on. Help all you can, but do what God has called you to as part of the Great Commission.
And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “ I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”
-Luke 4:42-43
