“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” 1st Thessalonians 2:7-9

What a beautiful description of the life of a God-Called minister of the gospel!

Paul showed a true servant’s spirit wherever he went to preach. He not only provided for himself with physical labor, he often took care of those traveling with him. Paul reminds us, by example, that in order to minister the gospel of Christ we must first be Christ-like in our behavior. As Christ came to serve, so should the gospel ministry.

This is not to say that ministers should be treated poorly and kept poor by lack of support. The scriptures are full of exactly the opposite of that thought. The problem is that modern Christianity has become too commercial. Churches look more like businesses than places of worship. And not only that, “worship services” have now begun to rival Hollywood in their “entertainment value.”

Too many self-proclaimed preachers forget that their primary role is as a minister not a boss, entertainer, or guest lecturer. Even when a man preaches the gospel, it should be from the foundation of ministering to the saints of God rather than ruling them.

Remember, if you have to buy a ticket to hear a person “preach,” it’s not the gospel you are going to hear and that person does not fit the pattern the Apostle Paul demonstrates here.