Monday, July 27, 2026
THE SHEPHERD’S REWARD!
Matt 10:16
16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise
as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Luke 6:22-23
22
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from
their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the
Son of man's sake.
23
Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold,
your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto
the prophets.
Every
now and then a well-respected researcher will provide a long list
of reasons why men abandon the ministry. They usually list long hours, little
pay, and even less appreciation as incentives for the minister to quit.
Impossible expectations, double standards, and human conflict add to the
depressing weight. But these lists usually are missing some very important
things.
For
every human conflict that the minister must endure there
are innumerable steadfast friends! The long hours of being on call and on the
job are balanced by flexibility. For every disappointing human failure there
are countless reasons to rejoice, and even a few miracles along the way. This
is not carpentry or mechanics. It resembles farming, which is subject to the
quality of the soil and the timely mixture of sun and rain. God is the
essential ingredient in every success and the comfort in every loss.
The concept of ministry is
strengthened when the use of the Greek word doulos is noted.
This was the term for a bondslave, one who was offered his freedom, but who
voluntarily surrendered that freedom in order to remain a servant. This idea
typified Jesus' purpose, as described by Paul in Phil 2:7.
(from
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson
Publishers)
Raw
statistics cannot, by themselves, measure the
profitability of ministry. If you want to be rich, then enter the marketplace.
If you want to be respected, become a physician. If you want power, become a
lawyer. But if you want to make a difference in the lives of people for
all eternity then the calling of gospel ministry has no equal.
1 Tim 1:12
12 And
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me
faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Thank
you, Lord, for the flocks you have placed in my hands. Let me always be
faithful. Let me always measure success and failure in the same way you do.
AMEN
