“Therefore see to it, pastor and preacher!  Our office has now become a different thing from what it was under the Pope; it has now become a real and saving office.  Therefore it is more troublesome and full of labour, is more encompassed by danger and temptation, and moreover, brings little reward and thanks in this world.  But Christ Himself will be our reward if we work faithfully.  And so may the Father of all mercy help us, to whom be praise and thanks everlasting, through Christ our Lord.  Amen.”

Martin Luther, The Short Catechism, 1529

My thoughts on preaching, teaching, pastoring, evangelizing:

If preaching the Gospel has gathered for me riches, I am not living the Gospel.

If preaching the Gospel has offered me much physical rest, I am most likely slumbering spiritually.

If preaching the Gospel has never resulted in conflict in my community, my message is at odds with God’s.

If preaching the Gospel has made me exclusively popular with the crowd, Christ may say He never knew me.

If preaching the Gospel has created only safety in my life, my soul may be in grave danger.

If I set my heart on receiving a reward that is anything other than Jesus, I have forfeited the personal fruit of my labor.

As a young minister, I pray that God guard my heart so that I can honestly count all other things as rubbish compared to the awesome joy there is in knowing Jesus Christ.  May my glory be in Christ (Philippians 3:3).  May yours be too.