A long time ago, I had a conversation with the youth pastor with whom I volunteered in ministry. For whatever reason, he was thinking out loud and asking “if I weren’t paid a salary by my church, would I still preach and minister like I do now?” We never discussed it, but I can tell you that I suspected the answer was “Yes”. And today, some 40 years later, I can unequivocally say “Yes”, because he has! That youth pastor is now our Senior Pastor. He and his wife were paid very little over the years of ministry, without complaint. They have never been “in it for the money”. But, rather- he has a calling to preach the gospel and has faithfully done so. The apostle Paul reminded the believers in Corinth that it is entirely proper, right, and necessary that pastors are paid. My dream is to one day return to 100% marketplace pay, and work for the Lord’s church without pay. No matter what, I want to proclaim the gospel.
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.”; So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. But I have used none of these things. And I have not written these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than that. No one shall make my boast an empty one! For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:9;14-16 NASB
Is the preaching of the gospel the central calling in my life? How happy am I that I can be a support to those called into full-time paid ministry?
God, as this day begins- I am grateful for so much… Your provision and love. May I represent You in every venue today that I find myself in. And as the day unfolds, I hope to share the light, love, and life-changing message of Christ with those who need Him. I praise You for the church and all who call it their home.
