A Preacher Of The Gospel
I'm sure there are some who preach the gospel for money; some for envy, strife, prestige, honor, or worldly gain. Likely there are preachers of the gospel to whom it is just another job -- nothing more; their livelihood.
If you will permit me I shall tell you of a man I knew. He was educated and capable of holding a number of positions in life. A man that held teaching certificates in several states. A man that might have settled back and attended a few services of the church each week and not worried and sweat over "church problems", nor wept over lost souls. He might have made more money and had a permanent home like most others, and given his family more of the material things they would have liked to have had.
He was none of these -- he was a gospel preacher, a minister of God. No, he didn't apologize for being a preacher.
This man was not preaching the gospel because he was too lazy to work for he had many times demonstrated his willingness to work with his hands and back.
He was not preaching just because he couldn't do anything else for he was well qualified in other fields of endeavor.
He was not preaching for money because there were better paying jobs available. I've known him to accept preaching positions with very meager salaries because he felt that it was the right decision.
He was not preaching for the glory of men because sometimes he would turn down the larger congregations to work with the smaller one for he felt that the need was greater.
He was preaching by choice. This was his choice of work.
He was preaching because he loved the Lord, mankind, and wanted to see all men saved.
He was preaching because, like Jeremiah, the word of God was burning in his bones and he could not stay. There was no stopping if he tried -- and he had! He was preaching because he had to preach.
Regardless of the heartaches, sacrifices, and discouragements that may come his way he will continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's not just a job with him, it is much more than a job. Man's eternal destiny is at stake -- others and his own.
There have been preachers of the gospel like this before; there are preachers like this today; and I believe there shall always be preachers like this. Thanks be to God and our Lord Jesus Christ for these dedicated preachers of truth, and their families who serve with them.