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October 9, 2012
"No Value no Profit"
Scripture Reading:
Acts 20:24 (HCSB) But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24 (HCSB) But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
Devotional Reading:
There are surely thousands and thousands of possible reasons people choose to be a church leader. Money is probably not one of them. Oh, I know there are those few high profile ministers (particularly in evangelical circles) who have profited tremendously, but let’s be real, that is by far the exception, not the expectation. As I read Paul’s farewell comments to the Ephesian church elders (Acts 20), I am struck by the total lack of profit for him. I mean, there was no sense of entitlement on his part. Paul’s model for leadership is really very simple…you give and you give and you give until you cannot give any more…and then you give some more. In Paul’s mind, leadership is about using yourself up for the benefit of others. It means burning the candle at both ends all day long and going to bed exhausted and then getting up and doing it all over again. I cannot help but wonder if this is why young John Mark didn’t last long through their first missionary journey. Leading with Paul was just exhausting! Searching through his letters, there really is no evidence of any other profit for him except for God’s pleasure. Paul seems to have been driven purely by a profound desire to know Christ better and to rely more and more on the Lord for direction and strength and vision and courage. Paul never seems to have complained that he was not being paid enough or that he was not treated well enough. He neither whined nor complained that people owed him more respect than he was getting. He just gave of himself, day in and day out. Paul was just the “Eveready Bunny”…he just kept giving and giving and giving. I know a few pastors and like that. I am grateful for their generous giving of themselves for the benefit of others. I love them for that. They do not make excuses, it is not about family, nor is it about them...solely and purely all to Jesus. You know the verse, Glory to God... That's why I study Paul and other than Jesus, Paul is my hero.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
There are surely thousands and thousands of possible reasons people choose to be a church leader. Money is probably not one of them. Oh, I know there are those few high profile ministers (particularly in evangelical circles) who have profited tremendously, but let’s be real, that is by far the exception, not the expectation. As I read Paul’s farewell comments to the Ephesian church elders (Acts 20), I am struck by the total lack of profit for him. I mean, there was no sense of entitlement on his part. Paul’s model for leadership is really very simple…you give and you give and you give until you cannot give any more…and then you give some more. In Paul’s mind, leadership is about using yourself up for the benefit of others. It means burning the candle at both ends all day long and going to bed exhausted and then getting up and doing it all over again. I cannot help but wonder if this is why young John Mark didn’t last long through their first missionary journey. Leading with Paul was just exhausting! Searching through his letters, there really is no evidence of any other profit for him except for God’s pleasure. Paul seems to have been driven purely by a profound desire to know Christ better and to rely more and more on the Lord for direction and strength and vision and courage. Paul never seems to have complained that he was not being paid enough or that he was not treated well enough. He neither whined nor complained that people owed him more respect than he was getting. He just gave of himself, day in and day out. Paul was just the “Eveready Bunny”…he just kept giving and giving and giving. I know a few pastors and like that. I am grateful for their generous giving of themselves for the benefit of others. I love them for that. They do not make excuses, it is not about family, nor is it about them...solely and purely all to Jesus. You know the verse, Glory to God... That's why I study Paul and other than Jesus, Paul is my hero.
Keep the Son in your eyes,
Pastor Ben J Lahay
Galatians 2:20
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