“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)” 1 Corinthians 16:15
It says the house of Stephanas was “addicted” to the ministry. What a thought!! Think of a drug addict who has to have his drugs and will stop at nothing to get them, and whose life is utterly consumed by drug…s so they were utterly consumed by ministry. They had to do it, they couldnt go a day without it. Think of a person addicted to cigarrettes. They have to smoke, they can only go a certain amount of time without smoking, they will sneak out of important events just to catch a smoke. These people were addicted to the ministry. It wasn’t a burden, it wasn’t a hardship, it was a desire, an unquenchable thirst.
Think of the gambler who can’t stop playing poker. It consumes hours of their day, and alot of thier finances but they have to play, they can’t go a day without it. So these people could not go a day without ministry. I’m sure being addicted it took up much of their time and much of their finances. What a blessing to be addicted to ministry. We need to pray for the same heart and desire. let’s not be addicted to T.V., Facebook, technology, drugs, tobacco, or poker. Let’s be addicted to the ministry of the saints. I’m sure looking back from the Celestial City the house of Stephanas doesn’t think the price was too great. We will never get to the Judgement Seat of Christ and be ashamed at having done too much or having spent too much time in the work of the miistry. We will be ashamed at having done and spent too little.
Written By: Rick Garland
The Gospel Beacon 