409
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
July 1924
From Preaching to Plastering Earle B. Gardner (Minnesota) Here is an article from the standpoint of the pew, well worthy consideration. The writer proves clearly that there is a weakness in the attitude of a minister who will forsake his pulpit for secular work, because of financial lack. If a man is called of God to be a minister, WOE TO HIM! if he is a deserter. If a man is not called to the ministry, he is a deceiver, and the sooner he gets into some other work the better. The test for any true man is one of faith in God’s unfailing promise.
that his words come directly as from my God. Such men there are to be sure, but they are not sufficient in number to feed all the hungering flock; and we who are not fortunate enough to always be near these mighty men of God must at times go thirsting for messages from His Holy word.
opening sentence of recent magazine ar- :le reads like this: le spread the gospel
until he was tired and hungry, and then left the pulpit to spread plaster at $500 a month.” Its object was to make known the fact that God’s ministers are paid less than tradesmen, and that many of them are forced to abandon the pastoral call ing for more profitable lines of work. As I intently studied the article, one word assumed large proportions and stood out distinctly in my vision as though I were staring directly at an illumined billboard. That word was “ Faith.” “ Could it be possible,” I asked myself, "that any true believer with a Bible full of promises and an abundance of faith would be compelled to turn from the Lord’s service to seek existence through material pursuits?” I condemn no man, but when I read that men leave the ministry daily out of necessity, I shiver; for I think of the warning words of Christ: “ No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” At best our faith is but feeble. At best the weak ness of the flesh will limit our reward in eternity. At best God will disappointingly be forced to give us far less than He originally intended we should have. Is it well then that any should turn aside, to diminish, even lose, a portion that already may be none too large? Again I think of the words of Christ: ' “ Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” Also, “ If then God so clothe the grass which today is in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, 0 ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” And as I read these promises, 1 wonder how any man can be so weak in faith that he will endanger his soul by turning back. It is not with the article that I am so much concerned, for the article is a recounting of existing facts; and exist ing facts can justly be published only as they are. It is rather upon the grievous condition portrayed through this publishing of facts that my concern is mainly centered. Though I am stirred by reading that many men leave the ministry, yet I am not altogether surprised, for, oh, how few men who stand in the pulpit can make you feel the power of God working through them. I believe that a true Christian goes to church feeling that he is facing one of God’s messengers, that he is to follow carefully as the sermon proceeds and retain a good part of the context. I go to church feeling this to be my duty; and yet, I often find myself growing restless, or tending to drift into con trary channels of thought. If then, there are clergymen with no power to hold, is it any wonder that they must give up their pulpits? I long to sit ever at the feet of a man who makes me feel
Does God intend it so? Does God favor one minister more than another, and thereby seem to dwell more cer tainly within one fold than within another? To an extent yes, but only to an extent. He is no respecter of persons and His power will be given as much to one of His min isters as to another. They, however, .must surrender com pletely to Him, and those who fail to do so will be lacking of a power to draw. True, all persons are not alike. Some are more talented, some are physically stronger, and some labor under more favorable conditions than others. This might seem to prove that God selects a certain few to be outstanding soldiers for His cause, but I do not believe that He does. Some of the most brilliant of spiritual lights have been men who have seen the light of glory when well along life’s way; who have had little or no education; and who, having failed to gain any headway on the strength of material ability, have floundered in despair; yet, who have, none theless, risen from a life of darkness and failure to lead many souls aright. I know of two great men who are holding forth for God. One has university training, while the other has little or none, and yet I would not venture to say which man has been more blest of God. One is more nationally known than the other, and of marked executive ability; yet it would be difficult to say which had the more spiritual power. Both have large churches. Both have a filled house whenever they are to preach. As I compare these two men in my mind, I speak to myself and say, “ God can make up the difference.” Yes, He can make up the diff erence for any one who will let Him. Only believe that He can, and trust that He will do so. My heart is full of sympathy for the many struggling men in pastoral work who are making no headway. I realize that in these latter times the struggle is a hard one; that the devil is getting in his best work, and that only when the Lord of Glory returns with His church, will there be success along the whole front and the reign of Satan be over. But even though hard times exist, we must not be discouraged, in fact, we have no reason to be. The worse conditions grow, the more certain is His coming. Besides, we have a Bible abounding in promises, and all who trust in them will never be in want. God sends hard times to test us. We have but to bravely hold out, believing and seeing ever a radiant light shining through dark clouds. So for all those who would be in the Lord’s service I say, “ Read His word, believe, and pray.” In no sense can the Christian ministry be regarded as a profession, as we speak of professions, nor can it be chosen as such like any other profession is chosen. He who enters the Lord’s service must be called of God. He must have experienced salvation, have conviction, and be stirred to
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