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The Acts of the Apostles
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 influence him in his labor, nor
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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 to do this, they may, however, be forced
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to follow the example of Paul and engage for a time in manual labor