Two Sides Of One Coin
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
“I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (II Cor. 12:15).
The
true man of God will faithfully serve the congregation which the Lord
has entrusted to him without thought of reward. Like Paul, he will
“gladly spend and be spent” for them even if his toil and sacrifice go
unappreciated. Where the congregation is too small to support him fully
he will cheerfully engage in enough secular work to supply the
deficiency. This is as it should be for, in ministering to his people,
he is serving God.
But
there is another side to this coin, for Christian assemblies should
appreciate the ministries of their pastors in their behalf. This is
especially so where the minister gives himself unstintingly for his
flock.
It
is a sad fact that too many pastors are grossly underpaid. Most of the
members of the congregation would not be willing to live on the low
economic level on which they keep their pastor and his family living for
years on end. He must be willing to sacrifice, but they must not be
deprived of any of the luxuries to which they are accustomed. They do
not realize how discouraging it can be for the pastor and his family to
constantly have to do without, while the better- off members of the
congregation hardly notice.
This is why the Apostle Paul reproved the Corinthians and declares: “Even so hath the Lord ordained
that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (I Cor.
9:14). And this, too, is why he wrote to the large-hearted Philippians:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction ….Not that I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Phil. 4:13-17).
Where true, Bible-believing pastors are concerned, let’s not be Corinthians; let’s be Philippians.
Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Kinta, OK 74552
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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