“We toil, working with our own hands.”
1 Cor 4:12
I had a good job and was earning well, but I also desired to do ministry. So I resigned my job and thought to join a ministry who can pay me, so that I could do ministry and even earn through it.
I praise God that I had an opportunity to attend the discipleship training called “Be Formed and Form.” It’s here I learnt about market place evangelism sharing the Love of Jesus at our own work place, thereby serving the Lord while I work and also earn for my livelihood. Now I have a good business, I am able to serve the Lord as well as bless others in need.
We all know about Paul the disciple of Jesus Christ, who set an example for true disciples and for ministry in the kingdom of God. Let us meditate on Paul’s practical life of ministry.
In Phil 3:17 and 1 Cor 11:1, Paul was asking to follow his example. Though, Paul could earn his livelihood from ministry, he never made use of it. Instead, he was encouraging the disciples to work with their own hands. In Acts 20:34-35, 1 The 2:9, Eph 4:28, Paul teaches us not to be a burden to anybody. Instead, he wants us to work and earn, so we can have something to bless others too.
Paul did not want to obstruct the advance of the gospel. 2 Cor 2:17, “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.” And 1 Tim 6:5 “who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” There are many who do ministry for selfish and wrong motives for financial gain. We should never take advantage of sharing gospel. We should never charge for prayer, healing, deliverance, counseling, or trainings (Matthew 10:8 Freely you have received; freely give).Paul is enjoying the pleasure of preaching free of charge (1 Cor 9:18).
Paul set an example of diligence before us. 2 Th 3:7-9 “We worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.” We also must be an example for others. We must work with our own hands in order to not be burden to anyone, instead we should have something to help others.
He could therefore say boldly in 2 The 3: 10 “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Dear Soldiers so come let’s follow Paul’s example.
Sol Grishma K. Patel