Today Spring gives us his thoughts on ministerial diligence.
He speaks about:
(i) the diligence of Paul;
(ii) the minister's time;
(iii) the intense pursuit of diligence;
(iv) the example of Christ;
(v) the diligence required in preparation for the pulpit;
(vi) the type of work of the minister;
(vii) the necessity of diligence;
(viii) the Master we serve;
(ix) the diligence owed to the minister himself;
(x) the happiness of diligence;
(xi) the account to be given to God for diligence.
A chapter that discusses a subject dear to me, but often dismissed.
I particularly liked how Spring contrasted gifts and diligence: 'The great difference in the ministers of the Gospel, is, under God, the result of unwearied application. No man has talent without thought ; and no man has rich treasures of thought without great labor. God's blessing is with a devoted minister. The minister who dissipates his time in social intercourse or who lounges away the hours that ought to be devoted to severer studies in works of fiction ; or who dreams them away amid the fumes of his cigar, need not be disappointed at his want of power in the pulpit, nor that he is unable to sustain himself in his high vocation.'
You may have significant gifts, but if you are not given to serious labour then those gifts will not always carry you through.
R
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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