Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (Mat 13:47)
This is the last of seven Kingdom parables the Lord spoke to the Jews in Matthew 13. That it was last speaks of its importance, for the Lord, Himself, said, “The last shall be first.”.
In this parable, Christ likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a “net” with its purpose to “gather” fish from the sea of “every kind”. The Lord is indicating here that there are many kinds of fish in the sea, or more to the point, many kinds of people in the world, including the poor, the wealthy, the weak, the strong, the influential, and the insignificant. To reach them all would require many different kinds of ministries. A ministry that might connect well with the homeless, would probably have little or no connection with the rich and famous. A ministry to the influential people of society would likely not relate to the blue collar Joes, and so on.
But what if God has purposed me for a specific ministry, say, to the poor, but I never hear His call to this, or even if I do, never fully step into it? Does this mean the poor intended for my stewardship must remain unreached? Not at all. Rest assured, what God has spoken in eternity will have its fulfillment in this life.
But, for this to happen, God will need someone else to step into my mantle. He could start from scratch and train someone up to walk in my ministry, but I don’t believe that’s His preferred way of doing it. Most likely, God will use someone who’s already walking in the fullness and blessing of their own ministry. He will call on them because they have proven themselves faithful. He will expand their tents to include my ministry, and the blessing I would’ve received will now be deposited into their account.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Mat 25:28-29)
God will not lose a single soul because of my disobedience or ignorance. His has purposed to train up believers to become a “net” in His hands, that He may use as He wills to gather the lost into His Kingdom. When my life and ministry have matured to the place where God can use me to gather up the lost "of every kind" who have been abandoned by others whom God intended for that ministry… then I’ve become part of that great Kingdom “net” in the hands of the Lord.
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