“Give Thyself Wholly”
I Timothy 4:15
Preaching
is not a part-time job, a sideline work, or a weekend activity. It requires the
whole of a man’s life and attention. When the prophet Isaiah considered God’s
purpose of grace, he said, “I will not
hold my peace...I will not rest,” until God’s elect have all been saved.
Then he said to all future watchmen upon the walls of Zion,
“Give him no rest,” until he has
fulfilled his purpose (Isa. 62:1, 7). By example and by precept, we are told
that the servant of God must give himself wholly to the work of the ministry;
to study, to prayer, to writing, and to preaching. If we take seriously the
ministry of the gospel, two things must be done: (1.) EVERY CHURCH to whom God has given a faithful pastor must
generously support that man and his family to the best of their ability, so
that he may give himself wholly to the work of the gospel. (2.) EVERY PASTOR who is called of God to
the work of the gospel and given the responsibility of preaching the gospel to
eternity bound souls must give himself wholly to the work. If that means you
and your family must do without finer things, cannot drive the best cars, live
in the nicest house, and wear the most fashionable clothes, that is a small price to pay.
Don Fortner