Will God only be pleased with me if I’m witnessing for Him full-time?
Question:
Is God still happy for a person who isn't full-time witnessing to others?
Say I chose to go in the military and stay for a few years and during that time I show and act I am a Christian. I witness to others but only when I have time and depending on what the military says about free speech and religion. While if I choose not to join the military I would have more time doing things for God like witnessing, handing out Bible tracts, helping strangers who could use help moving something, or any help like mowing their grass. Does God like it if I stay out of the military more than if I joined since I wouldn't have near as much time doing things for Him and maybe would result in me saving fewer people? Or will God reward me less or not say "well done thou good and faithful servant"?
I could join the military and if I die during the first deployment I may not have saved many or no people. But if I choose not to join the military I might have saved more people from the eternal suffering of Hell and would have had more time to serve Him.
This then makes me think of this:
"If I had spent more time witnessing someone might not be in Hell because I didn't go and witness."
But maybe you might say, "It was, in the end, his choice whether to choose the Lord or not to."
But what if I say, "But if I did witness to him, I might just explain it in a way the person would realize the truth."
Do you see what I mean? But then again if I die in the military at an early age, then would that be a wasted life?
But I tried my best not to get mad at my parents as a young child, even though I made them mad at times and may have thought some bad things, I did most times live with God in mind, and when I bought things I bought things for my parents so I wasn't selfish.
Another thing I question is: I am able to play music with instruments and did some as a child and teenager for my church a few times and for one time a place where people were living their lasts earthly days. But now I just don't feel comfortable playing for many or any people and have stopped. I recently learned I can draw photos -- real good realistic ones. I do that to show or for others and like doing it. Will God be unhappy with me stopping music, even though as a child I did play for others even though I didn't like it very much?
I know there are eternal rewards for believers who are faithful and more. I know there are verses in the Bible about such things. For example, for those who never heard about God, the Bible says the heavens declare the glory of God. The consciousness of people of what's right and wrong is within their hearts. Science and things show there is a God. Which leaves the atheist or any unbeliever without excuse.
This is all I am saying right now and hope you will reply by answering and reading all of this.
Answer:
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:6-8).
Not everyone has a talent for teaching other people the gospel. That doesn't mean they are useless to God. The person who works in a carpentry shop making cabinets is just as important as the homemaker raising her child who is just as important as the preacher proclaiming the truth. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
Therefore the laborer serves the Lord by serving his employer. "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:22-24).
A Christian is never off-duty. He is always setting an example, talking about God's Word, and showing in his own life that God can be obeyed. Using your example, I know a number of people who became Christians while in the military because of Christians who were serving with them.
Paul spent two years in prison while awaiting trial in Roman. Was he useless to the Lord then? The letters Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon were all written during that time. And a small statement is important: "All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household" (Philippians 4:22). Paul taught and converted the people around him, even while he was imprisoned. There is no place that a Christian is worthless to God.
The idea that one person is critical to the spread of the Gospel is false. The teachers of the truth are merely laborers in another person's fields. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (I Corinthians 3:6-7). I know people who were successful in business and used the money they earned to support preachers teaching around the world. I know people who didn't have a talent for teaching but went with missionaries to take care of day-to-day living arrangements so the preachers could focus on teaching. I know others who aren't good at striking up conversations with total strangers, but who see that God's people grow in the word and are encouraged. Who is most important to God? The correct answer is all of them are equally important, each in their own way.
God never asked people to play instruments in worship to Him under the new covenant (see The Amazing History of Instrumental Music in Christian Worship). But does it matter that you have multiple talents for making people happy and some you enjoy better than others? The important point is that you do what you can when you can, always keeping in mind that you are a servant of the Lord.
You don't make decisions based on what might or might not happen due to your choices. You make the best choice you know right now to make. You look to the future for what potential you see and try to make the best use of your time and talents in whatever situation you find yourself in. Take a look at Fruitful Christians and realize there are many ways to be fruitful in God's sight.
