Scripture Reading:
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. —Acts 20:35
Summary:
Tithing was an obligation commanded in the Old Testament. The new covenant introduced a system of giving freely, sacrificially, and from the heart. New Testament giving is not regulated by a percentage of income but by the love and sacrifice of one’s spirit.Read more
How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! —Romans 10:14-15
Thank God for ministers of old who were willing to hazard their lives for the sake of the gospel. They had a heavenly vision and labored faithfully to preach the hope and judgments of God’s word.Read more
Scripture Reading: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. —Ephesians 4:11-12
Summary: Ministers, called of God, are to be qualified, capable, and examples of the believers. They are to faithfully preach and warn the people in truth and love under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.Read more
It is the Spirit of God that qualifies and calls apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The ministry is given for “the perfecting of the saints…for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:13). Jesus commissioned His disciples, as He still does today, to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-16). It is a serious commission to minister the Word of God, for eternal souls are at stake. “If a man desire the office of a bishop [elder/minister], he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). It is not an office to be taken casually or loosely, but ministry is to be the result of a divine call and the anointing of the Holy Spirit in one’s life.Read more
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” —Romans 1:1
There is no greater call than to be a servant of Jesus Christ. It is an honor and a privilege to do the bidding of the King of kings and Lord of lords instead of pursuing the things of this world. Ministering to the lost and to the household of faith is not just a job or a career choice, it is a divine calling from the Lord.
The Spirit of the Lord is still calling saints to the work of the ministry. While every call of God is a little different, He is still looking for those who will fully consecrate their heart, time, and energy to the work of the gospel. Paul was separated unto the gospel of God. He was called to leave the course of this world and was set apart to fulfill a life-time call of ministry. There may be a time and place in the Lord for part-time ministry but there is no place for part-time consecration. There remains a need in this present generation for ministers to separate themselves from the cares that bind them to this world and give themselves entirely to the gospel efforts at home and abroad.
If you have been called of God and have been separated unto the gospel, be of good courage and stay faithful in time of need, for your Master will take care of you.
—mws