In yesterday's prayer room, there was a short Instant Messenger conversation included between me and someone in India. He asked if I was a full-time minister to which I explained I was, but I also told him I had an outside job to provide the means to do so. He probably had never heard such an explanation, so I tried to quickly explain it to him as people were entering my office to attend a sales meeting.

If you know me or spend any time here in the Tower, then you realize I am what many call a lay-minister as I serve Christians online as WebServant. That term implies I derive my living through secular work and then minister through and pay for the needs of the Prayertower with my personal funds. I have difficulty doing this in the same way many of you have difficulty earning the money you need to maintain your lifestyle. Paul dealt with this same issue as he traveled throughout the unchurched countryside preaching and teaching the gospel.

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he had to defend his right to speak with God's authority. That right was afforded apostles and since Paul was not one of those who walked with Jesus, he spent a lot of time explaining his ministry and appealing to God's people to support financially it just as they supported the host church in Jerusalem.

Anyone who knows Scripture should know Paul had the authority he claimed to have. In fact, the vast majority of the New Testament is his doctrinal teaching as revealed through letters like the one to the church at Corinth. But unlike the other apostles who probably mostly lived off donations from the people, Paul worked by making tents to provide a living in order to do the work God called him to do.

Are you a full-time minister? If you're a Christian, you should be. If you work, it should be for a twofold purpose: 1) to support your needs and the needs of those for whom you're responsible and 2) to provide support for those who are preaching the gospel.

So, what's a minister to do when those he serves are not compelled to support his work even when they are directly affected by the ministry? Easy. He works with a grateful heart and does what he can while there's still time. And he doesn't worry about those things he wants to do but can't, all the time giving God the glory for any results that help edify the church.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Nh. 7:61-9:21 1 Co. 9:1-19 Ps. 33:12-22 Pr. 21:11-12 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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