按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
boasting in the regions of Achaia。〃 2 Corinthians 11：7…10。
Paul tells why he had followed this course in Corinth。 It was that he might
give no cause for reproach to 〃them which desire occasion。〃 2 Corinthians
11：12。 While he had worked at tentmaking he had also labored faithfully in
the proclamation of the gospel。 He himself declares of his labors； 〃Truly
the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience； in signs；
and wonders； and mighty deeds。〃 And he adds； 〃For what is it wherein ye were
inferior to other churches； except it be that I myself was not burdensome to
you？ Forgive me this wrong。 Behold；
351
the third time I am ready to come to you； and I will not be burdensome to
you： for I seek not yours； but you。 。 。 。 And I will very gladly spend and
be spent for you。〃 2 Corinthians 12：12…15。
During the long period of his ministry in Ephesus； where for three years he
carried forward an aggressive evangelistic effort throughout that region；
Paul again worked at his trade。 In Ephesus； as in Corinth； the apostle was
cheered by the presence of Aquila and Priscilla； who had accompanied him on
his return to Asia at the close of his second missionary journey。
There were some who objected to Paul's toiling with his hands； declaring
that it was inconsistent with the work of a gospel minister。 Why should
Paul； a minister of the highest rank； thus connect mechanical work with the
preaching of the word？ Was not the laborer worthy of his hire？ Why should he
spend in making tents time that to all appearance could be put to better
account？
But Paul did not regard as lost the time thus spent。 As he worked with
Aquila he kept in touch with the Great Teacher； losing no opportunity of
witnessing for the Saviour； and of helping those who needed help。 His mind
was ever reaching out for spiritual knowledge。 He gave his fellow workers
instruction in spiritual things； and he also set an example of industry and
thoroughness。 He was a quick； skillful worker； diligent in business；
〃fervent in spirit； serving the Lord。〃 Romans 12：11。 As he worked at his
trade； the apostle had access to a class of people that he could not
otherwise have reached。 He showed his associates
352
that skill in the common arts is a gift from God； who provides both the gift
and the wisdom to use it aright。 He taught that even in everyday toil God is
to be honored。 His toil…hardened hands detracted nothing from the force of
his pathetic appeals as a Christian minister。
Paul sometimes worked night and day； not only for his own support； but that
he might assist his fellow laborers。 He shared his earnings with Luke； and
he helped Timothy。 He even suffered hunger at times； that he might relieve
the necessities of others。 His was an unselfish life。 Toward the close of
his ministry； on the occasion of his farewell talk to the elders of Ephesus；
at Miletus； he could lift up before them his toilworn hands； and say； 〃I
have coveted no man's silver； or gold； or apparel。 Yea； ye yourselves know；
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
353
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
354
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