So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit & wisdom. We will appoint this responsibility to them & devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” vs2-4

Prayer and the ministry of the word is the work of the gospel preacher. We must give ourselves to this entirely. In this day, when we see people perishing and the fear of death is heightened, it should stir us to remember that preaching Christ is all important. Others have different gifts: let them serve, but we cannot wait tables; we cannot be distracted. As much as is in us… as much as Providence allows… we must give ourselves to preaching.

1 It is right for people to support us, so we can SET ASIDE OURSELVES for this great task.

Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. [1 Cor 9:13-14]

Preachers have needs, so the church is responsible to all who labor in teaching [1 Tim 5:17-18]. Let us take this seriously, so we can do our part: One teaches, and the other supports the teacher [Gal 6:6]. Let us never be slack in our duties.

2 If we preach the gospel, it requires prayer and the word: We must commune with God. We cannot do this in our strength; it takes the grace of Christ to keep us close, purge our heart, and give us the message. Prayer is relationship, and it is dependence. The word is what we study to preach: We must GET FROM GOD what we need, and this takes devotion, confession of sin,and leaning on our Beloved. We must walk with God to minister.

3 Too many play at preaching. They have another agenda, another life, because they can’t commune with Him. They are bored with the gospel and run after other things, but their people suffer. They don’t have a fresh message, because the preacher is not spiritual; he is carnal, and this happens when the word is not properly received.

Paul warns us about carnal Christians after teaching us the ministry of the Spirit. He says he didn’t come with excellency of speech, and only the Spirit makes Christ known. When He’s known in the flesh, however, then we are proud and idolatrous.

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man? For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men? [1 Cor 3:1-4]

It is a rebuke to us to have carnal ministers, and they must repent. We must be about the gospel.