Personal brand or kingdom ministry: sorting the motives for service

By Dean Collins

A thoughtful, honest evaluation of the privilege we have as servants and ministers within God’s kingdom will reveal it is only by God’s mercy that we have the ministry and kingdom missions where we serve. We certainly can’t proceed on the basis of judgment, because we would all fall short. But it is the loving mercy of God that brings us to our opportunities of service.

Ministry from God

This is the perspective of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:2. He said the basis for his ministry was having it “by the mercy of God.” Are there any of us whose ministry comes any other way? We might work hard to get an education, form a reputation, develop a skill set, and produce a track record, all of it perhaps suggesting that we have earned our place of service. I suspect many may not be bold enough to say this is how they feel, but we likely act like it.

But none of that is how Paul presented his approach to his ministry:

1) We have renounced disgraceful and underhanded ways.
2) We refuse to practice cunning or tamper with God’s Word.
3) Our statement is open and truthful, and we stand before men and especially God on that basis.
4) We don’t proclaim ourselves, but rather we put forth Jesus as Lord and ourselves as servants for his sake.

And on that basis Paul is convinced that light will shine in the darkness and the world will see the glory of God in the face of Jesus.

Personal brand

The world’s obsession with personal brand, which we see everywhere in social media, reveals that we are often eager to put our face out there as the leader, the one who knows or has insight, and the one who can help you get it together. But is that the approach of God? Paul’s point is that it is far better, more effective, and even evidence of our understanding of ministry when we focus on service to others and showing the face of Jesus over our own.

There are plenty of places we would all agree are filled with disgraceful and underhanded behavior. There are many cunning approaches to selling your position. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have given us far too many examples of cunning and devious behavior. But they’re not the only ones. Self-evaluation and a clear look at leaders in business, education, and other pursuits would reveal much of the same. We have gotten quite comfortable selling and promoting ourselves instead of humbling serving others in the name of Jesus.

When we follow the example of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4 we will likely discover what Paul revealed in his opening sentence: “We do not lose heart!” The ways of the world lead to despair, but when we walk in humility serving others in the name of Jesus because of his great mercy, we discover hope and can live joyfully.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:1-6‬ ‭ESV

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