Not everything we do as Christians have equal weight to them. Some are more important and closer to the heart of God than others. For example, devoting ourselves to prayer and the word are more important than taking care of our family.

I know that sounds very pastoral. “Of course you would say that since you are a pastor!” But I myself find it surprising that above statement is true. I thought that there was no longer a divide between secular and sacred – what is holy and what is worldly since it’s not the thing itself that is either holy or unholy, but it’s what we make of it. For example, going to a football game can be good and holy if we are doing it to the glory of God. Going to church could be unholy if we are going there to do business. So, again, it’s not the thing itself, but it’s who we do it for that makes a thing holy or unholy. However, it is over-simplication to say that all things are equally good and therefore, whether we go on mission or open up a new business, as long as they are done to glorify God, they are all equally pleasing to God. That is what I’m now rejecting.
I believe now that certain things are more important and closer to the heart of God than others even if all things are done by faith. There are what’s called, “Things of the Lord” separate from “worldly things” even though worldly things might be a good thing like taking care of your family.
“The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious aboutworldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-24)
In this context, “worldly things” are not evil things. They are good things, like taking care of our spouse. However, they are not the best things, for lack of a better adjective. They are not what will please the Lord most. After all, even nonChristians take care of their family, but nonChristians do not do missions or preach the gospel…
Yes, there is room for abuse. Some, in the name of serving Christ, have abandoned their family even though they didn’t have to. (Some had to!) But that doesn’t mean that we should treat all things as equally valuable and important. No. Some are more important than others.
By all means, take care of your family and business. But do not neglect the weightier matters of the word, evangelism, church, and prayer.
PH