Bible Reading: 1 Sam. 2:12-17; Matt. 25:14-30
Read and Pray: “The one who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Lord, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matt. 25:22-23)
Every week of the year, there is a preaching meeting on Sunday in the church in Taipei. Do those who minister the word fast and pray before preaching? Clearly, there is no regulation requiring them to do so because it would be useless.
The brothers must understand that ministering the word of God is the same as leading men’s souls. The saints come to the meetings week after week to listen to us, so this must weigh on us. If, after three months, there is no change in their lives, we should not remain at ease.
This situation can be compared to that of a businessman who cannot sleep peacefully if he goes two weeks without doing business, and who cannot eat if he fails to make a profit for three straight months. He will be extremely anxious and worried.
Many businessmen come to see me. Although they are just sitting there silently, I can sense the burden within them and perceive that they are facing business difficulties. Are those who minister the word burdened for the souls that have not changed after three months? A shop owner without customers could not continue working as if everything was fine. He would analyze the situation and find a way to change it. How can those who minister the word carry on as usual without achieving any result? We cannot think that simply speaking from the pulpit week after week is enough.
When Brother Nee began his work in Foochow [capital of Fujian Province, southeast China], he fasted and prayed every Saturday for the Sunday gospel preaching meeting. He considered before the Lord what he should say and how he should say it. He pondered what words sinners needed to hear. Because he fasted and prayed with a heavy burden, his words were always very effective and were later published as messages.
Many who are used by the Lord have a burden in their ministry of the word. When Peace Wang was young, she had a fruitful revival work. She always knelt before the Lord and spent long hours weeping and being burdened for sinners. Thus, when she rose to speak, her words were always living and effective.
Serving with a burden
Our service is well-organized, yet we lack a burden. Having a burden means having a goal to reach. If we have not yet reached the goal or if we are unable to produce the expected results, we must be concerned. If we are able to serve without achieving any results, it is because we have no burden. Maintaining this attitude shows a lack of burden. Our ministry of the word must never reach this point. Therefore, those who minister the word must have a serious burden before the Lord, having no rest to relax or eat, even disturbing others so they will also have no peace.
This can be compared to the city of Jerusalem, which had no peace when the Lord Jesus was born (Matt. 2:1-18). Those who speak for the Lord must be sensitive enough to trouble the saints until they no longer have inner peace. When they have no peace, we will then have peace. The saints cannot love the world in peace. The saints cannot love the world and love the Lord. They cannot be lukewarm. Those who serve the Lord must have this kind of burden.
Many work for large companies. They work a fixed number of hours each day and simply perform the tasks assigned to them. They make no major mistakes and do not care whether the company makes a profit or not. These are employees without a burden; they serve without a burden. If we earn nothing from the first day of our own business, we must be concerned about our livelihood. If those who serve, whether in children’s or young people’s service, have this kind of awareness, they will succeed.
Complaining about failure because we are weak demonstrates a lack of burden. All those who serve must have a burden to the point of feeling responsible if the work is not fruitful. It must be like an entrepreneur who thinks about his business even while sleeping.
Enjoy more: Hymn 398
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