Serving From a Godly Heart
Today’s tip – “Don’t serve the Lord for money, fame, or importance.
The ministry is its own reward”
Brother Paul had the right idea here. Many have gotten in the pulpit with ulterior motives, and it has caused damage to the Kingdom, and given Jesus a bad name. It’s not Jesus’ fault, but He definitely gets the blame for self-centered preachers. Brother Paul was not one of those. He preached from the heart and he preached the truth.
What is it about ministry that makes it rewarding? What was the appeal to him and to other godly preachers? I think there are three things that kept his eyes focused on integrity; truth, love, and the power of gospel.
Godly preachers, like Brother Paul, love the truth of God’s word, the Bible. They want people to hear it. They want them to understand it, and to absorb it deep into their hearts. Brother Paul knew that if they heard the truth, and their hearts were open, they would receive what the Lord had planned for them, and receive it at the deepest level.
As said before, Brother Paul oozed out and poured our love to everyone around him. He saw the power of love to transform hearts, to reach deep inside and touch souls, and to soften those hearts to receive the truth we talked about just a minute ago. Brother Paul knew the power of the gospel, the power of God’s love. The reason Brother Paul could pour out that love is that he kept his love tank full with Jesus. He connected with Jesus. He introduced over 1,000 people to Jesus. The power of the Word of God and the love of the Savior. But one more key ingredient completes this love package, and that is the gospel.
Just a simple message with an eternal power and truth – Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. Simple, but profound. That was important to Brother Paul. That was his focus, and when one thing comes into focus, all else around it seems to disappear. When the ministry is centered around the truth, power, and love of the gospel other things – money, fame, self-importance – pale in comparison. They don’t matter.
Scripture: “What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.” – 1 Cor. 9:18
Prayer: May we live and share the truth of the gospel, walk in the Holy Spirit’s power, and share the love of the Savior with all around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.