Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
“When you are studying what to say to your people, if you have any concern for their souls, you will oft be thinking with yourself, ‘How shall I get within them? and what shall I say that is most likely to convince them, and convert them, and promote their salvation!’ And should you not as diligently think with yourself, ‘How shall I live, and what shall I do, and how shall I dispose of all that I have, as may most who tend to the saving of men’s souls?’
Brethren, if the saving of souls be your end, you will certainly intend it out of the pulpit as well as in it! If it be your end, you will live for it, and contribute all your endeavors to attain it. You will ask concerning the money in your purse, as well as concerning the word of your mouth, ‘In what way shall I lay it out for the greatest good, especially to men’s souls?’ Oh that this were your daily study, how to use your wealth, your friends, and all you have for God, as well as your tongues!
Then should we see that fruit of your labors, which is never else like to be seen. If you intend the end of the ministry in the pulpit only, it would seem you take yourselves for ministers no longer than you are there. And, if so, I think you are unworthy to be esteemed ministers at all. Let me then entreat you, brethren, to do well, as well as say well. Be ‘zealous of good works.’ Spare not for any cost, if it may promote your Master’s work.”
Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in the must-read book for pastors and anyone serving in ministry oversight: The Reformed Pastor. Excerpt from chapter one “The Oversight of Ourselves, section 1 “The Nature of this Oversight” part 3.
Pastors often ask me how to encourage their congregations to grow in generosity. Since I have some pastor calls on the docket this week from home, one answer would be to take this page out of Baxter’s classic work. It’s fitting with all the focus on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Door in 1517.
With Baxter I counsel pastors to deploy themselves and the resources in their stewardship precisely how they want their disciples to do it. As more is caught than taught, with Baxter, this is my prayer for pastors everywhere: “Oh that this were your daily study, how to use your wealth, your friends, and all you have for God, as well as your tongues!”