It’s Not My Job
What is your first reaction to reading the title of this post? Is it not the case that those four words are usually used by somebody who is making an attempt to “wash their hands” of any responsibility?
I hope that you will consider some thoughts about those words that are totally foreign to the idea of using them to absolve myself of any responsibility. Instead, they can be used in the context of being coupled with responsibility.
Some who read this already know that I serve as one of the elders of the Central church of Christ in Paducah, Kentucky. The New Testament teaches that this means that I am also one of the shepherds. It is my understanding that who or what I am as an elder/shepherd has much less to do with budgets, organizational charts, policies, and programs than it does with the eternal souls of people.
At the same time, I believe that my thoughts would apply to anybody who is truly concerned about people. That would be true with regard to various functions in the church. It would also be true with regard to the workplace, the home, the neighborhood, and many other places.
Sometimes, “the rubber meets the road” when something unpleasant needs to be addressed. What is an elder to do when/if a person is going in a direction and/or making decisions that could very well have negative and eternal consequences? What should anybody in any “role” who is concerned about the souls of people do in those circumstances? How would all of this translate to the family, the workplace, the neighborhood, etc.?
I believe that Jesus gives us some insight as to the answers to those questions when He taught the parable recorded for us in Luke 15:3-7. When the shepherd in that parable realized that one of his one hundred sheep was in danger, he did not call a “board meeting.” He did not draw up a policy or “job description.” He did nothing that would “shift the responsibility” to somebody else. At the risk of his own safety and in spite of being in his “comfort zone” with the ninety-nine, he took it upon himself to do what he could to spare the life of that one sheep.
Have you ever wondered why he did that? Please allow me to ask some questions that might help us to understand his actions.
- Could it have been because he did not see it as his “job”?
- Could it have been because, instead, he thought of it as his responsibility?
- Could it have been that he saw it as his responsibility because he truly cared?
I’m also thinking of one more question that should cause all of us to do some serious soul searching. At least it causes me to do that.
Could it be that Jesus told this parable because He wants each of us to make a personal application of what it teaches?
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in the spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Gal. 6:1)
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
