A Faithful Minister

 

By Thomas Brooks

 

"The Unsearchable Riches of Christ"

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,

especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." - 1 Timothy 5:17

The which is here rendered labour, signifies not simply
to labour--but to labour with much travail and toil, to labor
even to exhaustion, as he does who chops wood, or who
toils in harvest, or who fights in a battle.

Oh what an honour is it to a faithful minister, when he has . . .
  found the people dark and blind--but left them enlightened;
  found them dead--but left them alive;
  found them a proud people--but left them humble;
  found them a profane people--but left them holy;
  found them a carnal people--but left them spiritual;
  found them a worldly people--but left them heavenly;
  found them a wavering people--but left them settled and rooted.

Oh, it is an honour to faithful ministers,
when their people are like them in . . .
  knowledge,  wisdom,  love,  humility,  holiness!

"Be an example to all believers in what you
 teach, in the way you live, in your love, your
 faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

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