WHEN GOD ASSIGNS A MAN, WHY DO OTHERS TRY TO TAKE OVER HIS ASSIGNMENT?

WHEN GOD ASSIGNS A MAN, WHY DO OTHERS TRY TO TAKE OVER HIS ASSIGNMENT?

By Rev. Tanny, SDC President

Understanding Divine Assignment, Spiritual Boundaries, Human Interference and Individual Responsibility

There is an important spiritual principle that every believer, particularly those involved in ministry, leadership and kingdom assignments, must understand:

When God gives a man an assignment, He does not necessarily give everyone else the authority to redefine, redirect or take ownership of that assignment.

God is the Author of the assignment. The person chosen is entrusted with the responsibility of fulfilling it. Others may support, encourage, advise and collaborate, but they must understand the boundaries of their involvement.

One of the greatest challenges in Christian ministry is that some people cannot distinguish between helping someone fulfil an assignment and attempting to control that assignment.

Let us examine the key issues.

1. Divine Assignment Is a Matter of God's Sovereignty

God is the One who chooses, calls, appoints and commissions people for specific purposes.

Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

Jeremiah did not appoint himself. His prophetic assignment originated from God.

Similarly, Paul understood that his ministry was not a human invention.

Galatians 1:1 (KJV)

"Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)"

The principle is clear:

- God determines the assignment.

- God chooses the person.

- God provides the grace and ability.

- God establishes the direction.

- The chosen person bears responsibility for the stewardship of that assignment.

Therefore, another person's personal preference should not automatically become the governing direction of someone else's God-given assignment.

2. Not Everyone Has the Same Assignment

One reason people interfere with another person's assignment is that they fail to recognise the diversity of God's calling.

God does not give everyone the same responsibility.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (KJV)

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."

Consider the following:

- Moses was called to lead Israel.

- Joshua was called to succeed Moses and lead Israel into the Promised Land.

- David was called to establish the kingdom.

- Solomon was entrusted with building the Temple.

- Nehemiah was called to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

- Paul was commissioned as an apostle to the Gentiles.

- Peter was particularly entrusted with ministry to the circumcision.

Their assignments were different, although they served the same God.

The fact that someone has a ministry does not automatically qualify that person to determine how another person's ministry should operate.

Instead of attempting to redesign someone else's assignment, people should discover and fulfil their own.

3. The Problem of Uninvited Interference

There is a difference between offering godly counsel and imposing personal opinions.

Godly counsel provides wisdom. Imposition attempts to exercise authority without legitimate responsibility.

Proverbs 11:14 (KJV)

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."

Counsel is biblical and valuable. However, counsel must not become control.

Consider the example of Nehemiah.

When Nehemiah received the burden to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, he encountered opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem.

They attempted to interfere with his work, discourage him and divert his attention.

Nehemiah 6:3 (KJV)

"And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"

This is a powerful response.

Nehemiah understood that he could not afford to abandon his assignment simply because other people wanted his attention.

There are times when the most spiritual response to interference is to remain focused on what God has entrusted to you.

4. The Spirit of Comparison Creates Unnecessary Competition

Some people struggle to respect another person's assignment because they measure their own significance against someone else's achievements.

Instead of concentrating on what God has entrusted to them, they become preoccupied with what another person is doing.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV)

"But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

Comparison creates several problems:

- Jealousy over another person's progress.

- Competition over ministry influence.

- Attempts to demonstrate superior knowledge.

- Unnecessary criticism of another person's methods.

- Desire to control what God has entrusted to someone else.

The Kingdom of God is not designed to be a competition between individuals.

John 21:21-22 (KJV)

Peter asked Jesus about John's future. Jesus responded:

"If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."

This is a profound lesson.

Jesus essentially redirected Peter's attention from John's assignment to his own responsibility.

In other words, do not become so concerned about what God is doing with another person that you neglect what He has commanded you to do.

5. The Difference Between Spiritual Accountability and Spiritual Control

This is one of the most important distinctions in Christian leadership.

Not every disagreement is interference, and not every suggestion is an attempt at control.

The Bible encourages correction, accountability, consultation and mutual submission.

Proverbs 15:22 (KJV)

"Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."

However, accountability must operate within legitimate relationships and responsibilities.

For example:

- A person entrusted with an assignment must remain accountable to God.

- Leaders must be willing to receive correction.

- Ministry collaborators must respect agreed responsibilities.

- Those with legitimate oversight may exercise appropriate authority.

- Those without governing responsibility should not assume decision-making authority.

Consider Moses and Jethro.

In Exodus 18:13-24, Jethro observed Moses' leadership difficulties and offered practical advice about delegation.

Moses listened and implemented the advice.

This demonstrates that receiving counsel does not diminish a person's divine assignment.

The issue is not whether others may offer suggestions. The issue is whether they understand their position and whether their suggestions are consistent with God's purposes.

Spiritual maturity is demonstrated not only by knowing when to speak but also by knowing when to respect another person's responsibility.

6. The Danger of Assuming Ownership of Another Person's Vision

A vision entrusted to someone by God carries a particular responsibility.

Others may participate in its fulfilment without becoming its owners.

Consider Paul's relationship with the churches he established.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (KJV)

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

Paul understood his responsibility, Apollos understood his contribution, and God remained the ultimate source of growth.

This teaches us that collaboration does not necessarily mean ownership.

There is a difference between:

- Participating in someone's vision.

- Contributing expertise to someone's vision.

- Managing an assigned project.

- Having authority over the entire vision.

People must not confuse their contribution with governing authority.

A person who has been invited to assist with a project should not automatically assume the right to redefine the entire organisation, ministry or assignment.

7. Why Can't Others Simply Develop Their Own Assignments?

This is a legitimate question.

If God has given someone gifts, talents, ideas, abilities and opportunities, why should that person spend so much time trying to control another person's work?

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

God has prepared good works for His people.

Every believer should seek to discover and fulfil the responsibilities God has entrusted to them.

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates individual stewardship.

Each servant received resources according to his ability. Each servant was expected to be responsible for what had been entrusted to him.

The master did not instruct one servant to abandon his stewardship and take control of another servant's responsibility.

The lesson is that we will give an account for our own stewardship.

Romans 14:12 (KJV)

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

Instead of trying to become the authority over another person's assignment, people should concentrate on developing their own God-given potential.

8. The Danger of Delaying God's Work Through Human Interference

Unnecessary interference can delay progress.

Nehemiah encountered people who attempted to distract him from rebuilding Jerusalem.

Paul encountered opposition to his apostolic ministry.

Moses experienced resistance from people who questioned his leadership.

Even Jesus encountered opposition from those who could not accept His divine mission.

John 5:17 (KJV)

"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."

Jesus remained committed to the Father's work despite opposition.

There is an important leadership lesson here:

A person entrusted with a divine assignment cannot spend all his time responding to every opinion, objection or demand.

There must be discernment to distinguish between:

- Constructive criticism and destructive criticism.

- Legitimate accountability and illegitimate control.

- Helpful collaboration and unnecessary interference.

- Genuine spiritual concern and personal ambition.

- Divine correction and human preference.

Not every voice deserves the same level of authority in determining the direction of an assignment.

9. Respecting Another Person's Assignment Is a Sign of Spiritual Maturity

The body of Christ operates through different members with different functions.

Romans 12:4-6 (KJV)

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another:

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us..."

The body functions effectively when every member recognises and fulfils its responsibility.

The hand should not attempt to become the eye. The eye should not attempt to become the ear.

The issue is not that one member is more important than another. The issue is that each member has a distinct function.

Likewise, in Christian ministry, people must learn to respect different callings, different leadership responsibilities and different approaches to fulfilling God's purposes.

Spiritual maturity is not demonstrated by how much influence one can exercise over others, but by how faithfully one fulfils the responsibility God has given.

10. The Person Given the Assignment Must Also Exercise Wisdom

There is another side to this matter.

A person who claims to have received a divine assignment must not use that claim to avoid accountability, reject correction or justify unwise decisions.

Even Paul was willing to receive correction.

In Galatians 2:11-14, Paul confronted Peter publicly because Peter's conduct was inconsistent with the truth of the Gospel.

Furthermore, Proverbs 19:20 teaches us to hear counsel and receive instruction.

Therefore, a divine assignment does not make its recipient infallible.

The person entrusted with the assignment must demonstrate:

- Humility before God.

- Willingness to receive godly counsel.

- Integrity in decision-making.

- Accountability appropriate to the responsibility.

- Faithfulness to Scripture.

- Wisdom in selecting collaborators.

- Courage to reject advice that contradicts God's Word.

The authority to steward an assignment must never become an excuse for pride or unaccountability.

11. A Fundamental Principle: Do Not Abandon Your Assignment to Manage Someone Else's

There is a lesson that emerges from the lives of many biblical leaders.

Moses had his assignment. Joshua had his assignment. Nehemiah had his assignment. Paul had his assignment. Peter had his assignment.

They were not required to become the directors of every other person's calling.

The Church needs collaboration, but collaboration does not require everyone to control everyone else.

It is possible to work together without taking over another person's responsibility.

It is possible to offer advice without imposing personal preferences.

It is possible to contribute to a vision without claiming ownership of it.

It is possible to disagree without becoming an obstacle.

And it is possible to respect another person's leadership without compromising one's own convictions.

12. Five Questions Everyone Should Ask Before Interfering in Another Person's Assignment

Before attempting to redirect another person's work, consider these questions:

1. Did God assign me to this responsibility?

If not, why am I attempting to exercise authority over it?

2. Have I been invited to provide advice or assistance?

If not, is my involvement genuinely necessary?

3. Am I offering biblical counsel or imposing personal preferences?

There is a substantial difference between the two.

4. Am I contributing to the fulfilment of the assignment or creating unnecessary obstacles?

Good intentions do not automatically produce beneficial results.

5. Am I neglecting my own responsibilities while concentrating on someone else's?

Perhaps the time spent attempting to manage another person's assignment should be invested in developing one's own.

Conclusion: Fulfil Your Assignment and Allow Others to Fulfil Theirs

There is a place for advice, collaboration, correction, accountability and mutual support in the Kingdom of God. However, these must never be confused with the right to control another person's divine assignment.

If God has entrusted someone with a particular responsibility, others should respect that stewardship while remaining faithful to their own responsibilities.

We should not become so occupied with directing another person's work that we fail to accomplish what God has called us to do.

Nehemiah's response remains relevant:

Nehemiah 6:3 (KJV)

"I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down."

This is not an invitation to arrogance, isolation or rejection of godly counsel. It is a declaration of focus, responsibility and commitment.

Let those who have been called to build, build. Let those who have been called to support, support. Let those who have been called to lead, lead. Let those who have been called to develop their own assignments, do so faithfully.

Nobody should spend their entire life attempting to redesign what God has entrusted to another person while neglecting what God has entrusted to them.

Ultimately, the question is not how successfully we have managed someone else's assignment.

The question is whether we have faithfully fulfilled our own.

Galatians 6:4-5 (KJV)

"But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

For every man shall bear his own burden."

A Declaration of Leadership and Ministry

I will respect the assignments God has entrusted to others, just as I expect others to respect the responsibility God has entrusted to me.

I will welcome godly counsel but will not surrender divine direction to personal opinions.

I will collaborate without surrendering legitimate responsibility. I will support without attempting to take ownership. I will correct when necessary and receive correction when appropriate.

I will not waste my God-given time attempting to manage another person's assignment while neglecting my own.

My responsibility is to remain faithful to what God has entrusted to me. I will fulfil my assignment, respect the assignments of others and ultimately give an account to God for my stewardship.

Amen.