We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives. —1 Thessalonians 2:8
When we minister to others, of course we desire to share the gospel with them. Yet in 1 Thessalonians, Paul reminds us that ministry is more than just giving someone the gospel— it’s also giving them ourselves, just as Christ did for us.
It’s not enough to give the people we serve good Bible studies, teaching, or helpful programs. With all of that, we need to give them our lives. That means we must spend time with them in the laboratory of life.
Standing behind a podium to speak is the easiest thing I do, in a sense, because I don’t have to really love people there. Being in my study writing or preparing messages is simple because there are no people. However, once you get out into the laboratory of life, where people are messy with broken lives and complexities, that’s hard.
To touch people, love them, feel with them, and help carry their burdens, that’s ministry.
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“Portrait of an Effective Servant” (Revive Our Hearts series)
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
How has someone given of themselves in ministering to you? How can you do the same today for someone else?