Christian ministry by Charles Bridges (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)
Chapter Four looks at how a want of Christian self denial can make a minister ineffectual. Self-denial includes yielding time to minister to difficult people and foregoing excessive recreation and amusements.
Chapter Five shows how covetousness (for Bridges this primarily a love of worldly possessions and riches) is a cause of ineffectual ministry. Bridges says that its 'palpable exhibition is seen in a habit of saving - or a watching too closely over what we have, and a rooted reluctance to part with it.'
Chapter Four on self-denial was excellent. Bridges clearly acknowledges that there is a place for recreation: 'Some total diversion will however occasionally be needed. And let him not suppose, that his Master requires labour, when both his body and spirits demand rest. A wise management of diversion will tend rather to strengthen, than to enervate, the tone of his spiritual character, and the power of his Minister.'
But what Bridges is against is recreation that distracts the minister from his task: 'Mr Cecil cut the strings of his violin, and threw aside his painting brush, when he detected his indulgence diverting his mind from present duty.'
The other helpful point was that when we read any book (or watch any television etc) we cannot switch off. Bridge's quote from Scott is well worth noting: 'All our reading ought to be subservient to the immediate object of instruction. We may read any book, anicent or modern, sacred or profane, infidel, heretical, or what not; but always as Ministers, to note such things, as may the better enable us to defend and plead for the "truth as it is in Jesus;" never merely for amusement or curiosity, or love of learning, simply for its own sake, or for the credit or advantages derived from it.'
Next week's reading
Continue reading Part 3 by reading Chapters 6, 7 and 8.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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