{"id":29716,"date":"2023-04-19T09:00:01","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T13:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=29716"},"modified":"2025-05-21T09:19:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T13:19:58","slug":"ministry-efforts-from-the-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/ministry-efforts-from-the-heart.htm","title":{"rendered":"Ministry Efforts Done From the Heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Ministry
\nWe’ve previously considered how we’re to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus<\/a> (Col. 3:17)<\/span> and all for the glory of God<\/a> (1 Cor. 10:31)<\/span>. And, now we reflect on how we’re to do all we do from the heart (Col. 3:23)<\/span>. Though the NIV translates it “with all of your heart” that is by implication. The word for “all” isn’t in the original language but rather “ek psyche” literally meaning “from the soul” often rendered heart. Some translations word it as we’re to work heartily.<\/p>\n

What Happens When We Do Ministry Efforts from the Heart<\/h2>\n

Ministry that comes from the heart rather than out of duty or a need to outwardly conform or please others tends to bear these qualities:<\/p>\n

1) authenticity<\/p>\n

When we do something from the heart, we mean it. Hence, ministry becomes authentic. We genuinely want to help people because we care. We truly want to glorify God by what we do because we love Him with all of our heart.<\/p>\n

2) consistency<\/p>\n

When we serve from the heart, we have a sense of accountability whether or not someone is watching for we’re doing what we do “as for the Lord and not for people” (Col. 3:23, NASB)<\/span> … not for a pastor, ministry leader, or any other member of the Body. Consequently we consistently give it our all.<\/p>\n

3) persistence<\/p>\n

When it’s a heart issue, it isn’t dependent on outward reward which is good because we don’t always see the results of our labor. The next verse (Col. 3:24) let’s us know that there will be reward but it won’t necessarily be the applause of people and it won’t always come right away. And so, we don’t “become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).<\/p>\n

It Matters Because God Looks at the Heart<\/h2>\n

Since ministry done from the heart results in authenticity, consistency, and persistence, is it any wonder God “looks at the heart” in choosing people to serve? — “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)<\/span><\/p>\n

Serving from our heart stems from loving Him “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” which Jesus identified as the Greatest Commandment (Matt. 22:37-38)<\/span>. His top priority isn’t just that we “do” ministry but that we do it from a heart of love.<\/p>\n

Motives and heart attitudes matter to God, not mere external conformity or obedience. Though we might think we’re doing all the right stuff, God may not find pleasure in it. We may not be doing it for the right reasons. We may be inwardly grumbling and have a bad attitude. — “A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.” (Prov. 21:2)<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve previously considered how we\u2019re to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17) and all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). And, now we reflect on how we\u2019re to do all we do from the heart (Col. 3:23). Though the NIV translates it . . . Continue reading Ministry Efforts Done From the Heart?<\/span>→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ministry-process-results"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t