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more and still more like their Master, revealing His goodness, love,
and truth. And as they manifest earnestness in improving the talents
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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 Thes-
salonica, 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 improve a special opportunity to win souls to Jesus. His zeal and
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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