As I read a devotional from Stephen Olford, these thoughts came to mind.
Who among us has not listened to a preacher on a podcast or listened to one in a pastors’ conference who leads a megachurch and not wondered, “Why not me?” There may be several responses to that—none of them good.
The first is to belittle ourselves. “Well, I just don’t have such gifts. I wouldn’t be capable of leading a church like that.” Yet none of us know what will unfold in the providence of God—if we will be faithful in that little place. But, if we become discouraged, it can hinder our growth. We should have a passion to be all we can be for God, but leave the results to Him.
The second is to belittle others. “I am sure he compromises doctrine and that is why people flock to hear him. I will not do that!” Or we may accuse him of rustling sheep from smaller flocks. “They offer all this stuff to entertain the people and we are not going to do that!” The reality is that sometimes that is true. But, not always. Some megachurches are solid as a rock doctrinally and grow evangelistically. They want to help smaller churches be healthy. Some have a kingdom mindset—and it is about God’s kingdom and not their own. Charles Spurgeon pastored a megachurch and who can question his fidelity to Scripture and faithfulness in soul-winning?
The third is to boost ourselves. We seek status. We become a ladder climber and a name-dropper. Then, we pad our resume’ and that never ends well. We plagiarize the sermons of prominent preachers to impress others. Eventually, we will be exposed. Just be who God made you to be and serve where His providence has placed you.
Be faithful and let God sort all that out. I have wrestled with these same temptations. I would like to say that I have never succumbed to envy of mega-ministries, but that would be another sin—lying! So, when that temptation arises, let us resist and if we give in, immediately repent!
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