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who desire to preach only that they may receive support and thus gratify a
selfish ambition for an easy life。
Young men who desire to exercise their gifts in the work of the ministry；
will find a helpful lesson in the example of Paul at Thessalonica； Corinth；
Ephesus； and other places。 Although an eloquent speaker； and chosen by God
to do a special work； he was never above labor； nor did he ever weary of
sacrificing for the cause he loved。 〃Even unto this present hour；〃 he wrote
to the Corinthians； 〃we both hunger； and thirst； and are naked； and are
buffeted； and have no certain dwelling place； and labor； working with our
own hands： being reviled； we bless； being persecuted； we suffer it。〃 1
Corinthians 4：11； 12。
One of the greatest of human teachers； Paul cheerfully performed the
lowliest as well as the highest duties。 When in his service for the Master
circumstances seemed to require it； he willingly labored at his trade。
Nevertheless； he ever held himself ready to lay aside his secular work； in
order to meet the opposition of the enemies of the gospel； or to
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improve a special opportunity to win souls to Jesus。 His zeal and industry
are a rebuke to indolence and desire for ease。
Paul set an example against the sentiment； then gaining influence in the
church； that the gospel could be proclaimed successfully only by those who
were wholly freed from the necessity of physical toil。 He illustrated in a
practical way what might be done by consecrated laymen in many places where
the people were unacquainted with the truths of the gospel。 His course
inspired many humble toilers with a desire to do what they could to advance
the cause of God； while at the same time they supported themselves in daily
labor。 Aquila and Priscilla were not called to give their whole time to the
ministry of the gospel； yet these humble laborers were used by God to show
Apollos the way of truth more perfectly。 The Lord employs various
instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purpose； and while some with
special talents are chosen to devote all their energies to the work of
teaching and preaching the gospel； many others； upon whom human hands have
never been laid in ordination； are called to act an important part in
soulsaving。
There is a large field open before the self…supporting gospel worker。 Many
may gain valuable experiences in ministry while toiling a portion of the
time at some form of manual labor； and by this method strong workers may be
developed for important service in needy fields。
The self…sacrificing servant of God who labors untiringly in word and
doctrine； carries on his heart a heavy burden。 He does not measure his work
by hours。 His wages do not
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influence him in his labor； nor is he turned from his duty because of
unfavorable conditions。 From heaven he received his commission； and to
heaven he looks for his recompense when the work entrusted to him is done。
It is God's design that such workers shall be freed from unnecessary
anxiety； that they may have full opportunity to obey the injunction of Paul
to Timothy； 〃Meditate upon these things； give thyself wholly to them。〃 1
Timothy 4：15。 While they should be careful to exercise sufficiently to keep
mind and body vigorous； yet it is not God's plan that they should be
compelled to spend a large part of their time at secular employment。
These faithful workers； though willing to spend and be spent for the gospel；
are not exempt from temptation。 When hampered and burdened with anxiety
because of a failure on the part of the church to give them proper financial
support； some are fiercely beset by the tempter。 When they see their labors
so lightly prized； they become depressed。 True； they look forward to the
time of the judgment for their just award； and this buoys them up； but
meanwhile their families must have food and clothing。 If they could feel
that they were released from their divine commission they would willingly
labor with their hands。 But they realize that their time belongs to God；
notwithstanding the shortsightedness of those who should provide them with
sufficient funds。 They rise above the temptation to enter into pursuits by
which they could soon place themselves beyond the reach of want； and they
continue to labor for the advancement of the cause that is dearer to them
than life itself。 In order
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to do this； they may； however； be forced to follow the example of Paul and
engage for a time in manual labor while continuing to carry forward their
ministerial work。 This they do to advance not their own interests； but the
interests of God's cause in the earth。
There are times when it seems to the servant of God impossible to do the
work necessary to be done； because of the lack of means to carry on a
strong； solid work。 Some are fearful that with the facilities at their
command they cannot do all that they feel it their duty to do。 But if they
advance in faith； the salvation of God will be revealed； and prosperity will
attend their efforts。 He who has bidden His followers go into all parts of
the world will sustain every laborer who in obedience to His command seeks
to proclaim His message。
In the upbuilding of His work the Lord does not always make everything plain
before His servants。 He sometimes tries the confidence of His people by
bringing about circumstances which compel them to move forward in faith。
Often He brings them into strait and trying places； and bids them advance
when their feet seem to be touching the waters of Jordan。 It is at such
times； when the prayers of His servants ascend to Him in earnest faith； that
God opens the way before them and brings them out into a large place。
When God's messengers recognize their responsibilities toward the needy
portions of the Lord's vineyard； and in the spirit of the Master Worker
labor untiringly for the conversion of souls； the angels of God will prepare
the way before them； and the means necessary for the carrying
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forward of the work will be provided。 Those who are enlightened will give
freely to support the work done in their behalf。 They will respond liberally
to every call for help； and the Spirit of God will move upon their hearts to
sustain the Lord's cause not only in the home fields； but in the regions
beyond。 Thus strength will come to the working forces in other places； and
the work of the Lord will advance in His own appointed way。
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Chapter 34
A Consecrated Ministry
In His life and lessons Christ has given a perfect exemplification of the
unselfish ministry which has its origin in God。 God does not live for
Himself。 By creating the world； and by upholding all things； He is
constantly ministering to others。 〃He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and
on the good； and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust。〃 Matthew 5：45。
This ideal of ministry the Father committed to His Son。 Jesus was given to
stand at the head of humanity； by His example to teach what it means to
minister。 His whole life was under a law of service。 He served all；
ministered to all。
Again and again Jesus tried to establish his principle among His disciples。
When James and John made their request for pre…eminence； He said； 〃Whosoever
will be great among you； let him be your minister； and whosoever will be
chief among you； let him be your servant： even as the Son of man came not to
be ministered unto； but to minister； and to give His life a ransom for
many。〃 Matthew 20：26…28。
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Since His ascension Christ has carried forward His work on the earth by
chosen ambassadors； through whom He speaks to the children of men and
ministers to their needs。 The great Head of the church superintends His work
through the instrumentality of men ordained by God to act as His
representatives。
The position of those who have been called of God to labor in word and
doctrine for the upbuilding of His church； is one of grave responsibility。
In Christ's stead they are to beseech men and women to be reconciled to God；
and they can fulfill their mission only as they receive wisdom and power
from above。
Christ's ministers are the spiritual guardians of the people entrusted to
their care。 Their work has been likened to that of watchmen。 In ancient
times sentinels were often stationed on the walls of cities； where； from
points of vantage； they could overlook important posts to be guarded； and
give warning of the approach of an enemy。 Upon their faithfulness depended
the safety of all within。 At stated intervals they were required to call to
one another； to make sure that all were awake and that no harm had befallen
any。 The cry of good cheer or of warning was borne from one to another； each
repeating the call till it echoed round the city。
To every minister the Lord declares： 〃O son of man； I have set thee a
watchman unto the house of Israel； therefore thou shalt hear the word at My
mouth； and warn th