‘What shall we do then?’

He who has two tunic, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food let him do likewise.

Then tax collectors also came. ‘What shall we do?’

Collect no more than what is appointed for you.

The soldiers asked, ‘and what shall we do?’

Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.

Not one profession did He condemn. Not one job did He absolve.

He didn’t ask any to join Him in ‘ministry.’ He didn’t beg any of them to follow Him.

The instructions still remain valid today.

Are you a tax collector? Collect no more than is appointed.

Are you a soldier? Do not intimidate anyone.

Are you a student? Leave your mates standing!

Teaching? Light a fire under those students!

Marketing? Let the content be as great as the package!

Nursing? Give the milk of human kindness!

Trading? Start where you are. Exploit no one.

Advertising? Nail your colors to the mast!

Police? Exercise the patience of Job!

Educationists? Sell good moral.

Business? You have a head for facts and figures. Stay at it.

House cleaning? Work with respect and sincerity. You have a fighting chance.

Journalism? You’re our mine of information, keep your finger on the pulse.

Tellers? Handle your customers with kids’ gloves.

Managers? Run the company with might and main.

Medicine? Good health is a pearl beyond measure. Treat it so.

Grow where you are put. Make impact where you are. You need no microphone, you need no pulpit. That classroom, that shop, that hospital, that warehouse, that gas station, that business center, that site, that home, that desk is ‘ministry’! All hands to the pumps. Make impact where you are.

And remember, be content with your wages.

Luke 3