A Minister's Life

A Minister’s Life

…a minister’s life does not consist of the abundance of things he possesses…

He who dies with the most toys wins…

Things. An iPhone 14Pro, the latest tablet, a new car with all the bells and whistles, “smart” whatever’s. Things. Just things. They mean nothing. Within 10 months of their purchase we are anticipating the next one. Things. They help us do ministry, they keep us connected with ease. But they are just things. They are not our life. They are toys, gadgets, whatchamacallits. Things. Don’t think that they make you, you. They are just things. Don’t buy into the concept that having them make you special. Things.

In fact, if things are OUR measure we miss the treasure. And, if things get too engrained in our minds, we will quit.

Here’s the fact. ANY minister worth his wages could make higher wages in the secular world. Your skills, you education, your willingness to adjust to changes, your ability to take in and give out information in a rapid (weekly) and coherent manner, your ability to deal with others - each of those are highly prized in the world of industry, sales, marketing, the working world in general.

We don’t say this to send you off to update your resumes’ but as a reminder. We know when the pressure is strong and the frustration level is high. We understand when the feelings of being unappreciated, undervalued, and ineffective seem to soar. We do. But you and I need to often remind ourselves that we did not get into this to increase our bank accounts, we didn’t get into this because it was a high paying, cushy, position. You are doing this because you love souls. You are doing this because you want others to enjoy the riches that do not tarnish with time. You are doing this as an eternal investment.

Yes, you could make more money and get more stuff, but what’s it all worth anyway?

…a minister’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses… - you get what I’m doing there.