There is a huge difference between those who live their Christian lives to be well thought-of, congratulated, honored, esteemed...another words, live to be “kings” and...those who have little thought of being “kings” but rather, give themselves up in order to make others succeed and be great for the glory of God...in other words, they see their role as “king-makers.” To be a “king-maker” is not a glamorous job. In fact, it requires one to let go of self-aspiration and take the role of one often unappreciated, unknown, and seemingly insignificant in order that others might succeed in their Christian walk and become great in the kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul describes the life of a “king-maker:” “ 28 Him we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also labor, striving according to His working, which He works in me in power.” (Colossians 1:28-29) Sometimes a “king-maker” will be highly regarded and gain notoriety, but most of the time he or she will not.. There must be a conscious decision to become a “king-maker.” Today's My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers addresses this issue:

“Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, “I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don't want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ‘Well done.' ”

It is one thing to follow God's way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people's feet. God's purpose may be to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased…” (Philippians 4:12). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket— to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted— not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.”

Paul made this statement in Philippians 2 “3 doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, 4 not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others... 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.” Those are the thoughts and aspirations of a “king-maker.” “Being poured out as a drink offering” may not be a popular aspiration, but it is the mind-set of a “king-maker.” I think God would have us all to have this mind-set. After all, it was the mind-set of our Lord Jesus - “5 Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself” (Philippians 2). Why? So that others might become kings in glory.

My prayer for you and me this morning is this...Lord, humbly we place our lives before You to be used to bring others to glory. Help us put aside our pride and ambitions and use us to the building up of others. Amen.

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.