One of the most common complaints in the majority of the churches that I have been associated with is that it is hard to get people motivated to do the work of the Lord. Whether it is regarding ministry that helps people through tough times, ministry that does visitation at homes, hospitals, or nursing homes, or just maintain offices within the church, there seems to be a lack of concern for these positions. Christ said that the fields are ripe for the harvest but there aren't many workers to get the harvest. Therefore, we are to pray for the workers to come in. However, we often think that means that we need more people in the church to do the work that the people who are already in the church do not want to do. But we have churches that have a fairly good amount of people in them, yet only a small percentage cares about doing anything. We need the people that we already have that fill the pews to rise up and do something for God so that we can receive those who are not currently in the body of Christ and collect the harvest for the Kingdom of God that Jesus was talking about.

    So why do we have people in the church who really do not seem to care about working for the Lord? One reason is simply this: Our perception of Christ is off; therefore, we do not readily recognize how precious He is. When something is precious and holds great value, we go to a great expense to take care of it. Gold is considered a precious metal that holds a great value. Rubies are precious gems that hold great value. Both of these objects, as well as many other items, such as sentimental belongings or other material things, are precious to us and we cherish them because of their preciousness.

    The passage above from 1 Peter says first and foremost that Christ is precious to God, insomuch that Jesus is the outlet of God's salvation. Acts 4:12 tells us that salvation does not come by any other name other than the name of Jesus. Christ is the elect, sovereign choice of Almighty God that further displays His preciousness. There is great value placed upon the Christ by God Himself.

    Going on down the line, to those who receive God's salvation through and by Christ, He is precious as well. We recognize that we would not be saved were it not for the subsitutionary atoning blood of Christ applied to our lives and so we cherish Him for that. Yet, sometimes that preciousness seems to take a back seat for other things. Matthew 25:40 tells us that Christ said that when we do ministry unto even the least of the people that we surround ourselves with, we do things unto Him. This does not refer to the nation of Israel as the other parts of the passage does, but rather to His disciples and how well they received others. That really puts things into a unique perspective: To treat people as if we were doing things for Christ. Now tell me, since Christ is precious to those who believe, then just think of what kind of ministry we could do in the church if everyone just stopped and realized how precious He truly is! Then, when we face people and minister to them as if we were serving Christ Himself, then that would really change our enthusiasm to do God's work if Christ is truly precious to us.
   
    So the question is: What is precious to you? Is Christ precious to You? Is His work precious? How would others be able to tell how precious Christ is to you?