Watchman Nee, a prolific Christian author who had a fruitful ministry in China in the early 20th century before being imprisoned, wrote: "Let us note at the outset that there is little apparent difference between ministry to the House of the Lord and ministry the Lord Himself."

Nee's point is that we can be "religious" without pleasing God. Moreover, we can even humanely minister to "felt needs" of other people but only in the power of the flesh and not in a prayerful, worshipful manner that pleases God. Nee continues: "Many of you are doing your utmost to help your brethren, and you are laboring to save sinners and administer the affairs of the church. But let me ask you: Have you been seeking to meet the need around you, or have you been seeking to serve the Lord?" Nee's challenge is especially relevant in a lot of churches today - warning us that we may say the right things and do the right activities, but doing so only in the flesh, instead of in the Spirit, will make us look good in human eyes but will not please God.

To "minister to the Lord" is to worship him alone in all that you do. So, in essence, any ministry that is directed towards others without first being directed towards God is idolatry. There is a passage in Ezekiel 44 that describes two types of Levites (those who were in charge of taking care of the Jewish Temple - the place of worship). One group was ministering to the temple - that is, they were upholding religious practices while worshiping idols in their hearts. The other group was ministering directly to the Lord, honoring him as holy and obeying him with their hearts. Concerning the first group, God says, "[Y]ou brought foreigners uncircumcised in heart and flesh into my sanctuary, desecrating my temple while you offered me food, fat and blood, and you broke my covenant" (v. 7, NIV). Even though they made offerings to God, he didn't accept them, because they were being hypocritical by not glorifying God with their whole lives.

Concerning the latter, God says, "But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer Me the fat and the blood," declares the Lord GOD." (v. 15, NASB)

There is a verse in Revelation sometimes cited regarding this concept of "ministering to the Lord." It says, in context, "...Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 1:4-6, NIV)

In the Old Testament, only the priests ministered "to God." The Israelites would bring the animals to the temple, and the priests would help them administer the sacrifice in a way that was pleasing to God. Moreover, It was the job of the high priest to atone for the sins of all of God's people, once a year on the Day of Atonement, which is also called Yom Kippur.

At the Cross, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for all of humanity. He was both the sacrifice and the priest who presented the offering to God the Father, who accepted it and was eternally pleased. We know that Jesus is a priest, because Hebrews 4:14  says, "...[W]e have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God..." (NIV) Just like the priests in the Old Testament, Jesus helps us administer our sacrifices to God. Although we no longer have to present animal sacrifices, we do present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). 

The New Covenant is unique in that since we are part of the Body of Christ, Christians are able to join Jesus in his priesthood. Jesus is both king and priest and since when we accept him we also become God's children, we share in this "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). Covered by the blood of his ultimate sacrifice, we are able to enter the "holy of holies" and present ourselves to God the Father. Ministering to the Lord does not mean that he needs us to stroke his ego; rather, it describes the kind of worship and service the God finds acceptable - that is, that which wholly depends on the power of his Spirit, instead of flesh and blood.
 
As an advocate for Christian involvement in social justice causes, this is a struggle for me. I'm so much more apt to do something, anything, than just be still and hear what God wants me to do. Yet, I know it's what I need to do, and I'm learning that it's the only kind of fruitful ministry I can have - that is, ministry, unto the Lord himself.