Serving Tables

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 10, 1913

It was a wise provision of the early Christian church that those engaged in the ministry of the word should not devote their time to serving tables. Later the apostle Paul emphasized this same idea when he said, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” As the Master requires of the consecrated life an undivided heart, so Heaven demands that those who give themselves to the ministry of the word should render undivided service.

It is to be regretted that the spirit of speculation and commercialism finds entrance to the hearts of some who have taken upon themselves the sacred ministry of the word. The Christian Advocate, in its issue of May 1, speaks of a minister who devotes a portion of his time to raising mushrooms and peddling them about the town where he lives, while at the same time he is seeking to carry the pastorate of a church. In another part of the country is a minister who is engaged in poultry raising. He spends time lecturing at the county fairs and before farmers’ associations on the raising of poultry, at the same time seeking to preside over the spiritual affairs of the church, which affords him an ample salary for his support. Says the Advocate, “Their devotion to business is exemplary, but their notion of the ministerial office is unique, to say the least.” It was quite in keeping with the spirit of the ministry of the early church to forsake all and follow the Master, and the return on the part of some of the twelve to worldly pursuits was an indication of a state of doubt regarding their divine call, or a misapprehension as to what was involved in that call. We have no evidence in the Word that the call to the service of God involves any less sacrifice today. The gospel is the same. It has not been modified to meet modern conditions; and if the gospel is to do its appointed work, its representatives must give it with the same spirit that characterized its exponents in the days of our Lord’s earthly ministry.