Calculating and Evaluating Your Kingdom Service
Have you ever asked yourself, “How much can I accomplish for the Kingdom of God?” Like good servants and soldiers, we sincerely desire to do all that we can for our kingdom’s cause. However, all of us know that some people are simply more talented and gifted than others. Similarly, some people’s “lot in life” is outright more conducive to success and accomplishment, when compared to the “less fortunate’s” lot in life. This kind of faithless reasoning, sadly enough, is how most Christians calculate their potential service for the kingdom of God. On top of that, many Christians evaluate their kingdom service using man’s measuring sticks, instead of God’s measuring stick. In this article, I want to show you how to biblically calculate your Kingdom Service Potential (KSP) and then measure your Kingdom Service Evaluation (KSE). First, let’s look at calculating your KSP.
KSP: Kingdom service potential
| Faithful Servant’s KSP Equation |
|---|
| SW x SG x PG = KSP |
| SW: Strengths and Weaknesses SG: Sovereignty of God PG: Promises of God |
| Doubtful Servant’s KSP Equation |
|---|
| SW x LL = KSP |
| SW: Strengths and Weaknesses LL: “Lot in Life” |
Doubtful Servant’s KSP equation
SW: Strengths and Weaknesses
This is the most important variable in the doubtful servant’s equation. He even has a mental list of his different strengths and weaknesses, along with their respective values. In order to obtain their net value, he simply subtracts the total value of his weaknesses from the total value of his strengths.
| Hypothetical SW Chart | |
|---|---|
| Strengths (Value) | Weaknesses (Value) |
| Strength #1 (4) | Weakness #1 (5) |
| Strength #2 (7) | Weakness #2 (3) |
| Strength #3 (6) | Weakness #3 (6) |
| Strength #4 (6) | Weakness #4 (4) |
| Total: 23 | Total: 18 |
| Total Value of Strengths | 23 |
| Total Value of Weaknesses | -18 |
| Net Value of SW | 5 |
LL: “Lot in Life”
The only other variable the doubtful servant uses to calculate his KSP is his “lot in life.” In other words, the hand of cards that “fate” dealt him. This is merely a faithless and cowardly acceptance of the circumstances God has sovereignly placed him in. Like his strengths and weaknesses, the doubtful servant’s lot in life has its distinct advantages and disadvantages along with their respective values.
| Hypothetical LL Chart | |
|---|---|
| Advantages (Value) | Disadvantages (Value) |
| Advantage #1 (5) | Disadvantage #1 (4) |
| Advantage #2 (9) | Disadvantage #2 (6) |
| Advantage #3 (8) | Disadvantage #3 (4) |
| Advantage #4 (6) | Disadvantage #4 (5) |
| Total: 28 | Total: 19 |
| Total Value of Strengths | 28 |
| Total Value of Weaknesses | -19 |
| Net Value of SW | 9 |
Faithful Servant’s KSP equation
SW: Strengths and Weaknesses
This is the least important variable in the faithful servant’s equation. Although he is keenly aware of his strengths and weaknesses, his focus is primarily on Christ and His power. The faithful servant does not possess exceptional strength, he only possesses exceptional willingness for Christ’s strength to be displayed through him.
SG: Sovereignty of God
Remember how the doubtful servant multiplied his strengths and weaknesses by his “lot in life”? Not so with the faithful servant! Instead, he multiplies his strengths and weaknesses by the sovereignty of God. In other words, the faithful servant serves Christ’s kingdom believing that God sovereignly orchestrates all things for His glory (Re. 4:11) and the Christian’s good (Ro. 8:28). The doubtful servant resigns to an acceptance of fate, but the faithful servant chooses a perspective of faith.
PG: Promises of God
This is the most important variable in the faithful servant’s equation. The promises of God do two things: First, they greatly increase the net value of SW by transforming all the weaknesses into channels of Christ’s strength (2 Co. 12:9). Second, they multiply all the other variables by infinite, which is the number that best represents the power of God. The following are just a few of the many awesome promises of God:
PG: Promises of God“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises.” 2 Pe. 1:4 “For all the promises of God in Him (Christ) are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Co. 1:20 |
|
| 1. Strength in Weakness | “My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Co. 12:9 |
|---|---|
| 2. Servants God Uses | “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 1 Co. 1:26-29 |
| 3. Christ’s Presence | “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Mt. 28:20 |
| 4. Future glory | “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Ro. 8:18 |
| 5. Forgiveness of Sins | “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jo. 1:9 |
| 6. No Condemnation | “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Ro. 8:1 |
| 7. Assurance of Salvation | “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” 1 Jo. 5:13 |
| 8. Eternal Treasure | “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” Mt. 6:20 |
| 9. Deliverance out of Temptation | “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Co. 10:13 |
| 10. Persecution | “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Mt. 5:10 |
| 11. God’s Acceptance | “He that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Jo. 6:37 |
| 12. God’s Care | “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Pe. 5:7 |
| 13. God’s Guidance | “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Pr. 3:5,6 |
| 14. God’s Joy | “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. 16:11 |
| 15. God’s Love | “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Je. 31:3 |
| 16. God’s Mercy | “They (God’s mercies) are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” La. 3:23 |
| 17. God’s Peace | “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Ph. 4:6,7 |
| 18. God’s Power | “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ep. 3:20 |
| 19. God’s Provision | “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Ph. 4:19 |
| 20. God’s Sovereignty | “Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Re. 4:11 |
| 21. God’s Thoughts | “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.” Ps. 139:17,18 |
KSE: Kingdom service evaluation
Now that you know how to calculate your Kingdom Service Potential, let’s take a look at how to conduct your Kingdom Service Evaluation. Keep in mind, God does not see things the way man sees them (Is. 55:8,9), nor does He evaluate things the way man evaluates them. When you apply the KSP equation to your life, you run the risk of using man’s measuring sticks instead of God’s measuring stick to measure your kingdom service. Two common measuring sticks that man uses are “success” and “comparison.” The measuring stick of success is concerned about things like results, numbers, aesthetics, etc. Similarly, the measuring stick of comparison ranks your kingdom service relative to the kingdom service of others. However, God’s measuring stick is simply faithfulness to His calling on your life. So don’t measure your kingdom service with man’s measuring sticks! This will only lead to discouragement or pride. Instead, measure your kingdom service with God’s measuring stick: faithfulness to His calling on your life!
Kingdom service case study: Goliath, Saul, and David
Goliath’s KSP = SW x LL
| Goliath’s SW Chart | |
|---|---|
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Tall and strong | Proud and defiant |
| Experienced fighter | Serving the wrong kingdom |
| Well armed | |
| Goliath’s LL Chart |
|---|
| 1. Born into a giant family |
| 2. Chosen to be Philistine champion |
Saul’s KSP = SW x LL
| Saul’s SW Chart | |
|---|---|
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Tall, strong, handsome | Insecure |
| Experienced fighter | Doubtful |
| Well armed | |
| Saul’s LL Chart | |
|---|---|
| 1. Born into a wealthy family. | |
| 2. Chosen to be king of Israel. | |
David’s KSP = SW x SG x PG
| David’s SW Chart | |
|---|---|
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Good heart | Small |
| Handsome | Inexperienced fighter |
| Poorly armed | |
| David’s SG Chart |
|---|
| 1. Born last of eight sons. |
| 2. Chosen to be a shepherd. |
| David’s PG Chart |
|---|
| 1. God’s deliverance from enemies. |
| 2. God’s power over earthly weapons. |
| 3. God’s glory displayed to the world. |
Case Study KSE
| God’s Measuring Stick | Faithfulness to His calling |
|---|---|
| Man’s Measuring Stick | Success and comparison |
All of us are familiar with the outcome of the classic battle between David and Goliath. David was the victor, Goliath the loser, and Saul the coward. However, most people fall into the trap of using man’s measuring sticks instead of God’s measuring stick, to evaluate David’s kingdom service. Although David ranked high on man’s measuring sticks after his victory over Goliath, these are not the sticks God or David used to measure David’s kingdom service. If you read the story carefully, you will see that both God and David were concerned about one thing: faithfulness to God’s calling. This explains why God chose David to be king based upon David’s heart while serving as shepherd, and not after his victory over Goliath. Faithfulness to God’s calling also explains David’s attitude concerning his father and King Saul. Remember how that after David was anointed king he continued to serve his father as a humble shepherd. On top of that, after David defeated Goliath he continued to submit to King Saul’s authority. Why? Because he wanted to be faithful to God’s calling on his life! He wasn’t concerned about being successful in the eyes of men, nor outdoing the service of other men. Instead, his heart was purposed to rank high only on God’s measuring stick: faithful to His calling.
Instruments of God
In closing, I want us to consider a meditation on God’s power working through His kingdom’s servants …
Have you ever listened to a talented violinist? Beautiful music, right? Have you ever tried to play a violin? If you’re like me, you don’t even know how to hold one, much less play one! Even if I had a world-class, million-dollar violin, the best I could play is something that sounds like a high-pitched screech. However, if you were to give a low-quality violin to an experienced violinist, you would still hear beautiful music. This is because the violinist, not the violin, is the source of beautiful music. Dear brother and sister, you and I are like violins whose Maker greatly desires to play beautiful music on! However, He’s not looking for high-quality instruments, as many people suppose; He’s simply looking for willing instruments. So let’s give up trying to be “great instruments of God.” Instead, let’s aspire to be “willing instruments of a great God!”
| Violin Principle |
Great violin music does not come from a great violin, but from a great violinist. |
|---|---|
| Kingdom Service Principle |
Great service for God’s kingdom does not come from great servants, but from a great God. |
Dear fellow kingdom servants, take courage and calculate your kingdom service potential using the faithful servant’s equation. Then, evaluate your service using God’s measuring stick. In this way, you will join the ranks of a long line of kingdom servants who dared to be willing instruments of the King of kings! ~
The author is currently investing his “Kingdom Service Potential” in Southeast Asia as an ambassador for his King.
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