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June 5, 2023

Supporting Himself and His Co-Workers

Acts 20:33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothing. (34) You yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my needs and to those who are with me. (35) In all things I have shown you by example that toiling in this way we ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Paul worked with his hands at making tents (18:3) in order to support both himself and those who were with him. He worked in order to help his young co-workers. This indicates that Paul's way was not that of today's clergy who make a profession out of preaching. Like Paul, we all should bear the New Testament economy wherever we may be. If the situation allows, we may spend our full time in the work of the ministry. Otherwise, we should do something to support ourselves and also to help others. In verse 35 Paul asked the elders to remember the word of the Lord Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This word is not recorded in the Gospels; it must have been received by oral communication. If we carefully read Paul's word to the elders of the church in Ephesus, we shall see that Paul did not consider preaching a profession. Rather, Paul had a genuine burden to carry out God's New Testament economy.

Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Acts, pp. 479-480. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].

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