the acts of the apostles-第67章
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that these hands have ministered unto my necessities； and to them that were
with me。 I have showed you all things； how that so laboring 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 20：33…35。
If ministers feel that they are suffering hardship and privation in the
cause of Christ； let them in imagination visit the workshop where Paul
labored。 Let them bear in mind that while this chosen man of God is
fashioning the canvas； he is working for bread which he has justly earned by
his labors as an apostle。
Work is a blessing； not a curse。 A spirit of indolence destroys godliness
and grieves the Spirit of God。 A stagnant pool is offensive； but a pure；
flowing stream spreads health
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and gladness over the land。 Paul knew that those who neglect physical work
soon become enfeebled。 He desired to teach young ministers that by working
with their hands； by bringing into exercise their muscles and sinews； they
would become strong to endure the toils and privations that awaited them in
the gospel field。 And he realized that his own teachings would lack vitality
and force if he did not keep all parts of the system properly exercised。
The indolent forfeit the invaluable experience gained by a faithful
performance of the common duties of life。 Not a few； but thousands of human
beings exist only to consume the benefits which God in His mercy bestows
upon them。 They forget to bring to the Lord gratitude offerings for the
riches He has entrusted to them。 They forget that by trading wisely on the
talents lent them they are to be producers as well as consumers。 If they
comprehended the work that the Lord desires them to do as His helping hand
they would not shun responsibility。
The usefulness of young men who feel that they are called by God to preach；
depends much upon the manner in which they enter upon their labors。 Those
who are chosen of God for the work of the ministry will give proof of their
high calling and by every possible means will seek to develop into able
workmen。 They will endeavor to gain an experience that will fit them to
plan； organize； and execute。 Appreciating the sacredness of their calling；
they will； by self…discipline； become more and still more like their Master；
revealing His goodness； love； and truth。 And as they manifest
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earnestness in improving the talents entrusted to them； the church should
help them judiciously。
Not all who feel that they have been called to preach； should be encouraged
to throw themselves and their families at once upon the church for
continuous financial support。 There is danger that some of limited
experience may be spoiled by flattery； and by unwise encouragement to expect
full support independent of any serious effort on their part。 The means
dedicated to the extension of the work of God should not be consumed by men
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 follo
