THERE was a time in the history of the Christian church when men worked to earn their livelihood while ministering to the needs of the people. These original disciples were self-supporting missionaries. There is some evidence that in the end of the church operation this situation will again be true. In the interim God has mercifully provided for the support of the successors of the Levitical priesthood through the tithing system. This is indeed a fortunate provision, for in this highly industrial society, where the mere exercise of daily living requires huge sums of cash outlay, it is difficult to imagine a functional ministry without some visible means of support. And an active ministry need feel no embarrassment for this, for the laborer is indeed worthy of his hire.
The writer of this note directs your attention to (1) the fact that there are those whose productivity in the field of church administration and evangelism is not commensurate with the finances allocated to their upkeep, and (2) talent-wise there are men who are literally "robbing God" by not living up to their potential as soul winners. Now as to number 1, the work of God is so well organized and closely supervised as to keep persons described under this category to a minimum. When such men are discovered, they are encouraged to improve ineffectiveness and are given every opportunity to do so. Failing this, they are encouraged to take up another occupation, or are shifted to a less sensitive spot where their talents may be utilized in an other area.
Number 2 claims our attention, for here I feel the church is really not getting its money's worth. There are highly talented evangelists who are still strong and able to do the work who are saddled with administrative detail that might well be left to another. To be sure, these men are doing a job that must be done, and as well as it can be done. Yet others are employed in teaching positions at an age when they should be out on the firing line, preaching the message on the street corners to the masses.
While the word "ministry" is indeed an exceedingly broad term and does include, in fact, education, medicine, lay activities, literature evangelism, and temperance promotion, it is equally true that in the early years of one's ministry he may literally "rob God" by not indulging in those difficult forays into non-Christian homes and neighborhoods with a person-to-person confrontation with souls with the terms of the gospel. Nothing that we do should isolate us completely from this work if we are Christian ministers.
I know one auditor who makes it his business to visit faithfully the hospitals and pray for the sick on a regular weekly basis. This is his person-to-person ministry. Is it not just possible that a person who is doing none of this while carrying the credentials of an ordained minister is "robbing God"? Is it not our contention that even laymen should long ere this have involved them selves in some form of personal ministry?
If this be true, how then can we escape if we neglect "so great salvation"? "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?" In personal witnessing.
