Undivided Devotion

February 7, 2024 / by Bryon Phinney

My wife and I have ministered to the Church and the world together.

We have also had areas of ministry different from one another. When the areas of ministry are separate, our schedules and priorities sometimes conflict. This requires negotiation and sacrifice on one person’s part, sometimes at the expense of that spouse’s ministry.

I love being married and this is the life the Lord has assigned to Becky and me (1 Cor. 7:17). Our marriage has made our lives richer and more capable to be ministers of the Gospel in some respects. In other ways, marriage has made it necessary to change our plans. This is part of the balance between ministry and marriage that Paul describes.

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul says those who are married have worldly troubles (vs. 28). Those who are married are also naturally more anxious about the things of the world (vs. 32-34). Paul also communicates a sense of urgency about this life in light of the need to spread the Gospel (vs. 31). His advice was this: if someone is single it is better to remain single; if married, they should act as if they are not (vs. 29).

Paul urges that we should have an “undivided devotion” to the Lord (vs. 35). Those who are single have a greater capacity for this kind of devotion. They are not encumbered with certain distractions or conflicts or obligations which come with being married. The need is urgent. The present form of this world is passing away (vs. 31) along with precious, eternal souls. For however long God plans for you, live single for the glory of God – an undivided, devoted life to our Lord, a life those of us who are married are unable to live.

Bryon Phinney serves in the Young Adult Ministry at East White Oak. He and his wife Rebecca host the young adults in their home every week. They are empty-nesters now that both Nathaniel and Abigail are in the career and family building stages of life. Abigail married Ben and they have introduced the first grandson to the family. Bryon works as a lead software engineer for State Farm. He also enjoys running, reading and woodworking.