wholly given over to."
We can picture this is our minds can't we. Someone strung out on drugs or alcohol,
shaking and sick, the only thing on their mind is obtaining their next fix. We just
naturally associate the word, "addict" with something bad. There is the flip side!
1 Corinthians 16:15b "They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints."
We find here at Corinth, the household of Stephanas. This family had made a name
for themselves for their addictive ministry to the saints. What a wonderful things to
have said about you! The only other thing said about Stephanas is in verse 17, "I am
glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which
was lacking on your part they have supplied." Stephanas was one of the ones
meeting the needs of the Apostle Paul, he was devoted, wholly given over to the
"ministry of the saints."
This is not something that only certain people should concern themselves with, this is
the duty of every believer! We all need to become addicted to the ministry of the saints.
How does that happen? Well first of all, you need to be a true believer. Many people
now a days work for good causes. Christianity is not a good cause, it is a Spirit-
filled, Spirit-driven life. It is not a state of mind, its a state of soul!
Ephesians 1:7 "In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace."
Unfortunately, one can be a believer, but not be wholly given over to the Lord. Many
of us tend to want to hang on to this little piece or that little piece of our lives, or that
"little white sin." It does not work like that, we need to be totally surrendered to the
Lord to effectively be able to do His will and be in His service.
Ephesians 2:8 - 10 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For
we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
"Created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Take note here that the good works come
after salvation. Salvation is NOT earned through good works. Salvation is the basis,
the foundation for the good works to stem from, not the other way around.
James 2:18 "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me
thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."
When we were born again, saved by the blood of Jesus, we were saved for a purpose,
to point others to Christ and to minister and edify through our good works. When we
show love to the hateful, help those who are trodden down with the cares of this world,
feed the hungry, cheer up the broken hearted, we are showing God's love...at this point
I might even suggest that we might be addicted to the ministry of the saints!
This is all well and good to help the lost, but the saved often fall victim to these same
circumstances as well. Haven't you had days when your cranky and out of sorts with
those around you? Do you get depressed with the cares of this life? Have you ever
gone hungry because the month was longer then your pay? What about those days when
your heart is breaking and you just want to curl up and cry. Saints are human. There
have been many times when I've experienced days like I just mentioned, and some sweet
Christian brother or sister as shown up at my door and ministered to my broken spirit.
1 Peter 4:8 - 10 "And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another with-
out grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one
to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
"Have fervent charity among yourselves," we are to love one another. We are told if
we do these things that God will consider us good stewards. I want to be a good
steward of the things that God has given me.
We find in Matthew chapter 25 the story of the unfaithful steward. The master was going
on a trip and called his servants and gave his goods into their safe keeping. Verse 15
says, "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to
every man according to his several ability." We find that the first two servants took
their talents and doubled them. However the servant that had received the one talent took
that talent dug a hole and hid the talent. Verse 19 says that after a long time the master
returned and called for his servants. The first two came and brought the extra that they
had gained in his absence. These two servants were rewarded with more, "His lord
said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the
joy of thy lord." (verse 21) The unfaithful servant was punished, he had wasted the
chance for that one talent to be used wisely.
When God gives us something, we need to use it for His glory. We need to commit to
being a faithful and good steward of what we've been given. We each have different
talents, but it's up to us to use them faithfully for the Lord. Become addicted in the
use of what God has lovingly placed in our hands.
Hebrews 10:23 & 24 "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering: for He is faithful that promised; and let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works."
None of us can walk this path from earth to Glory alone, we need each other. We
need to love, support, comfort, edification, and fellowship. Lets work on becoming
addicts in the ministry of the saints!
Blest be the tie that binds,
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds,
Is like to that above.
Before our Father's throne,
We pour our ardent prayer;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows,
The sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.
John Fawcett
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