First chore. That’s monumental in every child’s life, right? For my son, Bryce, the moment came recently when I told him I would pay him a nickel for every time he made his bed.
A few weeks his new chore, things have been going well (and Bryce is getting rich).
This morning, Bryce told me that I forgot to pay him for the day before. Oops.
I thought this would be a great learning moment, so I asked him, “what coin could I give you that would equal two nickels?”
His first guess was, “that big silver one.” Then, he was certain it must be a penny.
After I pulled out a dime, he actually laughed and said, “Dad, that one’s too small!”
I had forgotten about the mysterious way that the size of our coins doesn’t necessarily match the size of their value. It’s a good lesson for all of us, isn’t it? (Especially for pastors).
Pastors, we all know that the size of our attendance, budget, or facilities doesn’t equate with our value as ministers of the gospel. We remind each other of this often (although we rarely act as if we believe it).
But when was the last time someone reminded you of where your value as a pastor does come from?
It doesn’t come from your achievements. It’s not derived from your reputation. It has nothing to do with your gifts, talents, or abilities.
Your value as a pastor is 100% in Christ.
While that sounds simple enough, let me elaborate on what that does and doesn’t mean.
It doesn’t mean:
1) The more you do to please Christ, the more valuable you are.
2) The more you pastor as He would pastor, the more valuable you are.
While pleasing Christ and conforming to His image are both vitally important, your value does not lie in becoming those things. It lies in the fact that 1) because of justification, you are already pleasing to Christ and, therefore, 2) because of sanctification you are becoming more like Christ.
It does mean:
1) Your value as a pastor is based upon Christ’s righteousness. You please God because Jesus pleases the Father.
2) Your value as a pastor drives your ministry and is not a result of your ministry.
During the inevitable difficulties of ministry, we are all tempted to get this backwards. But remember, your value is not a product of what you’ve done, but of what Christ has done for you and is doing in you. And anything that He does through you is all to His glory.
Whether you feel like a “penny pastor,” a “quarter pastor,” a “nickel pastor,” or a “dime pastor,” consider changing your perspective. Trust me, it’s valuable!