Self-denial of the Early Preachers.
By D. T. Bourdeau
LOOKING at things from a worldly stand point, it was not an easy and flattering matter for the apostles to forsake their worldly avocations to preach the gospel. Some of them were fishermen, and were called when in the very act of fishing or mending their nets; and we read: “They straightway left their nets and followed him.” “And they immediately left the ship and their father and followed him.” Matt. 4: 20, 22. As fishing was the main business upon which Peter, Andrew, James, and John, depended to sustain themselves and their families, and they had no promise of wages from the Saviour, they might have produced a plausible excuse for declining to follow Jesus. But no; they break away from their business at once, and with the glory of God and the worth of souls before them, they move out by faith in the performance of the duties of their sacred calling. So with Matthew. He had a public office and sat at the receipt of custom when Christ called him. But he found a way to cut loose from his office and business. “And he arose and followed him.” Matt. 9: 9. But it appears that one of the disciples at least thought he had a reasonable excuse to wait awhile before preaching the gospel: “And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” Matt. 8: 21, 22. “And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 61, 62. But when the disciples first started out, they were not only required to forsake all, but they were also commanded to provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, in their purses, nor scrip for their journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves” (or a staff, Greek). Matt. 10: 9, 10. Without faith, the future would indeed look dark for the disciples. But the Saviour set an example to his disciples in this respect. Besides leaving the riches and glories of Heaven to save us, we find him saying to a certain scribe who offered to follow him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.” Matt. 8: 20. So dependent was the Son of God, that “certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, . . . ministered unto him of their substance.” Luke 8: 2, 3. The self-denial and faith of Christ and his apostles at the start of the gospel, are set forth as examples for all those who would be called to preach the gospel. Their course in these things shows the worth of souls, and of eternal things in comparison with temporal. While it may be right for preachers to have a care for their families, and show respect for their parents within reasonable limits, the Scriptures make it their imperative duty to not entangle themselves with the things of this life, that they may please God in laboring successfully in his cause. While we may be inclined to excuse ourselves as some did in the days of Christ, we should remember that while we are kept away from the field, souls around us are dying without hope who might be saved through our instrumentality. How would we feel to meet such in the Judgment? By being slow to move out in the gospel field, we do not give faith an opportunity to grow, or give God a chance to work for us. We set a bad example to the church, and others, and deprive ourselves of the blessing promised in the following scripture: “Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” Matt. 19: 27–30. I want to take a greater stock in this self-denial; for it is very profitable in the end.