I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
Paul's farewell at Miletus was an open appeal to the Ephesian elders' own personal knowledge of his manner of life, declaring that he had coveted, desired, sought no man's silver or gold or clothing or wealth or goods for personal gain, and he did not make his own personal needs the focus of his message even though some of them were wealthy. He supported his own necessities and those of his companions with his own hands by diligent manual labor at the tentmaking trade, working day and night through hard work and careful economy, and he held up his toilworn hands as testimony that he was chargeable to no man for his support. He gave to those in need rather than seeking their possessions, helping his fellow workers and the worthy poor, at times going hungry himself to relieve the necessities of others, sharing his earnings with Luke and helping Timothy obtain equipment for his journey. His example teaches Christians to work in order to support the weak, for it is more blessed to give than to receive.
While thus supporting himself he taught the Scriptures publicly and from house to house, and when he lived and worked with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth he instructed them more fully in truth. His course proves manual labor is nothing for a minister to be ashamed of or afraid of and does not lower the work of the ministry, but has true dignity, is not degrading, and is consistent with true greatness and elevation of Christian character. Working with the hands does not lessen influence, does not prevent being courteous and refined, does not make a man coarse, rough, and uncourteous, and took nothing from the force of his sensible, intelligent, and eloquent appeals, but belongs to a Christian gentleman of the highest type, although ministers are not obligated to do in all respects as he did. His freedom from material greed and his combination of faithful service with honorable manual labor mark his character as a faithful, all-round Christian minister and offer gospel workers an example of self-supporting service and integrity.
In connection with that example, he willingly worked at his trade when circumstances required it, while remaining ready to set that work aside to oppose the enemies of the gospel or to seize an opportunity to win people to Jesus. His farewell testimony stands in a setting that presents law and gospel in perfect harmony, teaching that there is no power in the law to save the transgressor of the law and showing the necessity of a Redeemer. Refusing to covet another person's silver, gold, clothing, or possessions is part of honest conduct in everyday life and business, and being content with adequate and suitable food and clothing helps keep the heart and hands free from covetousness and dishonesty. Resisting small temptations to covetousness builds the moral strength needed to withstand greater ones.
Ministry without coveting is fulfilled by leaving home to do needed work abroad and by spending income such as book royalties to advance the work in every line until the fund is nearly exhausted, refusing to lay up treasures in this world because they will be consumed by fire at the last great day. It means regarding all that is possessed as the Lord's entrusted talents on which God has absolute claim, and refusing to use means in self-indulgence. It also means consecrating life as God's gift to His service from youth, striving to do God's will from the heart, writing truth in warnings, reproof, and encouragement in obedience to His word, receiving of His fullness grace for grace. It means giving the received knowledge of truth to others to diffuse light while holding the precious treasure of the oracles of God.
Paul's farewell at Miletus was an open appeal to the Ephesian elders' own personal knowledge of his manner of life, declaring that he had coveted, desired, sought no man's silver or gold or clothing or wealth or goods for personal gain, and he did not make his own personal needs the focus of his message even though some of them were wealthy. He supported his own necessities and those of his companions with his own hands by diligent manual labor at the tentmaking trade, working day and night through hard work and careful economy, and he held up his toilworn hands as testimony that he was chargeable to no man for his support. He gave to those in need rather than seeking their possessions, helping his fellow workers and the worthy poor, at times going hungry himself to relieve the necessities of others, sharing his earnings with Luke and helping Timothy obtain equipment for his journey. His example teaches Christians to work in order to support the weak, for it is more blessed to give than to receive.
While thus supporting himself he taught the Scriptures publicly and from house to house, and when he lived and worked with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth he instructed them more fully in truth. His course proves manual labor is nothing for a minister to be ashamed of or afraid of and does not lower the work of the ministry, but has true dignity, is not degrading, and is consistent with true greatness and elevation of Christian character. Working with the hands does not lessen influence, does not prevent being courteous and refined, does not make a man coarse, rough, and uncourteous, and took nothing from the force of his sensible, intelligent, and eloquent appeals, but belongs to a Christian gentleman of the highest type, although ministers are not obligated to do in all respects as he did. His freedom from material greed and his combination of faithful service with honorable manual labor mark his character as a faithful, all-round Christian minister and offer gospel workers an example of self-supporting service and integrity.
In connection with that example, he willingly worked at his trade when circumstances required it, while remaining ready to set that work aside to oppose the enemies of the gospel or to seize an opportunity to win people to Jesus. His farewell testimony stands in a setting that presents law and gospel in perfect harmony, teaching that there is no power in the law to save the transgressor of the law and showing the necessity of a Redeemer. Refusing to covet another person's silver, gold, clothing, or possessions is part of honest conduct in everyday life and business, and being content with adequate and suitable food and clothing helps keep the heart and hands free from covetousness and dishonesty. Resisting small temptations to covetousness builds the moral strength needed to withstand greater ones.
Ministry without coveting is fulfilled by leaving home to do needed work abroad and by spending income such as book royalties to advance the work in every line until the fund is nearly exhausted, refusing to lay up treasures in this world because they will be consumed by fire at the last great day. It means regarding all that is possessed as the Lord's entrusted talents on which God has absolute claim, and refusing to use means in self-indulgence. It also means consecrating life as God's gift to His service from youth, striving to do God's will from the heart, writing truth in warnings, reproof, and encouragement in obedience to His word, receiving of His fullness grace for grace. It means giving the received knowledge of truth to others to diffuse light while holding the precious treasure of the oracles of God.