“You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.”
1 Corinthians 1:10 (The Message)
You can’t be effective in ministry (or in any other area of your life) if you don’t work well with other people.
Otherwise, you’ll spend much of your ministry unhappy.
What do you need to learn in order to work well with others?
First, learn to cooperate.
The church in Philippi had sent a man named Epaphroditus to Rome with a gift of financial support for Paul while he was in prison.
Philippians 2:25 says, “I feel that I must send Epaphroditus—my brother, coworker, and fellow soldier—back to you. You sent him as your personal representative to help me in my need” (GW).
By calling Epaphroditus his brother, coworker, and fellow soldier, Paul was describing life and ministry as a family, a fellowship, and a fight.
As believers, we are in the same fight together against Satan, and we need to support each other.
This isn’t just true of fellow Christians in your church.
We need to also cooperate with other churches so that we can minister together in our communities and around the world.
Second, learn to be considerate.
Paul is speaking of Epaphroditus again in Philippians 2:26 when he says, “He has been longing to see all of you and is troubled because you heard that he was sick” (GW).
This verse includes two examples of consideration: Paul is considerate of his coworker’s homesickness, and Epaphroditus is considerate of the Philippians’ concern.
The more you’re considerate of other people’s needs, doubts, and fears, the happier you will be.
If you are inconsiderate, you’re going to have an unhappy marriage, friendship, or work environment.
“Cultivating a life in common” takes work. Like a garden that requires cultivation to bear fruit, your efforts will bear the fruit of happiness and strong relationships.
