He also said to look after the widows, orphans, the fatherless, love our neighbors as ourselves - if you want to be first you have to be last. Jesus came not to be served but to be a servant. I am not sure how that would lead to being in vain especially when He spoke of these things. AG
What He truly calls us to do we will not be able to do on our own, Moses took things into his own hands and had to be sent away for 40+ years to learn dependence on God.
Heidi Baker feeds thousands in Mozambique by following the leading of God with every thought, word, and deed, that is in compliance with His plan for her life, which she sought, found and is walking out.
That is a far cry from reading a verse in the Bible and handing the first homeless alcoholic a McBiscuit.
Jesus was clear most would have an outward "form of Godliness" denying the power. The power is He working through us by Holy spirit to find and walk out his plan.
Abrahams father apparently was given the same charge as Abraham but settled in Haran leaving God's plan to be fulfilled by Abraham.
https://biblehub.com/acts/7-4.htm
blessings