THE pastor who preached our sermon on Sabbath left school when he had finished only grade 4 of the primary level. He has never been to secondary school or college. He has never written a thesis or obtained a diploma.
He is not naturally eloquent, nor has he ever learned pastoral psychology or the art of preaching. He is not of commanding stature or of particularly handsome features. He has no money, no house or nice furniture, no car. His library consists of about a dozen well-thumbed books, which have been given to him over the years. No education, no qualifications, no training, no aids—you might well say he has nothing.
But you could not be more wrong. He is "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed" of his work. He has not received an education, but he has received an edification—and in the last analysis, which is the more important? This pastor moves among his flock with diplomacy, and speaks with the wisdom of Solomon. He counsels each one as if he were the last soul to be saved in this world. He understands each one individually, all of them—their back ground, their abilities, their spiritual health. I know of no other pastor who does a better job of reaching the hearts of his people.
Whence cometh this understanding? Nowhere more vividly than here in the Pacific Islands is illustrated the truth that "God giveth . . . wisdom." Our Lord said, "Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." And these national pastors know where to start seeking. They ask of God wisdom, and they ask it not for selfish reasons of status or income or respect. They seek wisdom from above, that they may accomplish God's work more successfully. And God gives in full measure. There is no other way to explain the work these dedicated men do and the way they do it. Their textbook is the Holy Scriptures, and their only qualification is consecration.
Let us who have the benefits of a good education not lose sight of the fact that God gives us qualifications for His work, too. If He wants us to do a job, and we trust in Him alone, not in what we are or what we have, He will give us what it takes to get the job done. His biddings are enablings.
When these men deliver a sermon it reaches the heart. It does not always please the ear, but it reaches the heart. They have nothing on which to rely, except God. They do rely wholly on Him, and He does not fail them.
Consecration is the most important qualification for any worker for God. Without dedication of heart he is poor, notwithstanding the letters and diplomas he may have.
Of course, education does not exclude consecration. Education and training are important—provided they are mixed in the right proportion with consecration. One can still be mightily used of God without education, but his work is sure to fail with out consecration. Are you qualified?
