He gets his commission from God, and it is God who
will try his heart and prove his ministry. Oh, to please Jesus!
Oh, to stand perfect before God after preaching His Gospel!
4. He was _not a time-server nor a covetous man._ "Neither
at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of
covetousness; God is witness," he adds.
There are three ways of reaching a man's purse: (1) Directly. (2)
By way of his head with flattering words. (3) By way of his heart
with manly, honest, saving words. The first way is robbery. The
second way is robbery, with the poison of a deadly, but pleasing,
opiate added, which may damn his soul. The third reaches his
purse by saving his soul and opening in his heart an unfailing
fountain of benevolence to bless himself and the world.
It were better for a preacher to turn highwayman, and rob men
with a club and a strong hand, than, with smiles and smooth words
and feigned and fawning affection, to rob them with flattery,
while their poor souls, neglected and deceived, go down to Hell.
How will he meet them in the Day of Judgment, and look into their
horrorstricken faces, realising that he played and toyed with
their fancies and affections and pride to get money, and, instead
of faithfully warning them and seeking to save them, with
flattering words fattened their souls for destruction!
Not so did Paul.
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