Neh 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

In Nehemiah 6:15, we read that the wall was completed in fifty-two days. What was the secret of their success? It rests on this statement: “for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6).

Work was in their mind. They were committed to the work in rebuilding the wall. They came from all walks of life. They left their comfortable homes to walk thousands of miles to arrive at Jerusalem to build a broken wall, not sightseeing. Many left their jobs and businesses to get their hands dirty to build the wall. They knew it was going to be hard work. They knew there would be obstacles. But they came because they loved Jerusalem. Their mind was fixed on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.

We can accomplish all that God desires of us today if we will put our hearts and minds into it. If the works of the church are only done by the preachers and elders, then the church is heading for destruction.

There is really so much that needs to be done in God's kingdom. God wants us to rise up and build His kingdom. Each of us need to have "a mind to work." The secret of church growth lies in the hearts of the members: “for the people had a mind to work”. Do you possess the same mind to work?

Let us each have a mind to work. Surely there is work for all of us to do.

1. Benevolence - There are the sick, the poor, the elderly and needy to help and visit. James 1:27

2. Evangelism - There are the lost to teach and save. Mark 16:15-16

3. Restoration - There are the spiritually weak to restore. James 5:19-20

4. Edification – Members need teachings and strengthening. Matthew 28:20

5. Fellowship - There are programmes to help members to live together as one family. Acts 2:46

Those works will be left undone unless members start to work. The church has programmes for those works but oftentimes, they die a natural death. Why? Is it that the plans were not effective? Negative! The plan is not the problem; the people are. There was no one to put the plan into action. For example, it takes a year of planning and a lot of money to hold a gospel meeting with a foreign preacher. It will not be a successful event if the members are not present and no one invites any friends for the meeting.

If we expect growth, we must work. There is a proverb which says: “Where there is a will, there is a way.” The proverb means that if you are determined enough, you can find a way to achieve what you want, even if it is very difficult. Nehemiah and the Jews met with all kinds of obstacles along their way. The enemies had no desire for Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Work became harder for the Jews as they had to work and keep guard at the same time. There was much poverty too. But they were determined to finish the wall they came to do for they “had a mind to work." They were willing to work to build the wall regardless of the danger or hardships. And, they overcame all obstacles because the people had a mind to work.

Evangelism is hard work. Who says no one wants to listen to the gospel? Look at those denominations which are growing. They are working hard to spread their false teachings. People are interested in religion; it’s just that we are not doing enough to reach out to them.

All of us want the church to grow. However, just wishing for growth will not suffice. It will take the concentrated efforts of every Christian in our congregation to get the job done. If we work together, if we put our minds to do it, then, with God's blessings, we can do great things. Do you have a mind to work?

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.