Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labour, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who hasneed.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ephesians 4:28-29

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION
1. Stealing

a) This temptation is very real
b) Pastors can also be guilty of stealing!

i) When they are dishonest with funds entrusted to them
ii) When they deceive and pretend to be righteous
iii) This is outright hypocrisy!

c) This must never occur!

2. Labouring

a) The right thing to do is to labour
b) Working hard and faithfully is necessary!
c) There is no substitute

3. The results of working hard

a) We provide for ourselves and our family
b) We may even have enough to provide for people in need!

4. Corrupt words

a) These would include:

i) Vulgarity
ii) Lies

b) These must never be a part of our vocabulary

i) Pastors can be guilty of speaking corrupt words too
ii) Passing false information must never be done

5. What must be in view?

a) Words that edify
b) Words of grace that encourage hearts

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. Our Role as pastors-teachers

This must be borne in mind all the time.
May we desire to speak well for the Lord!

2. Ponder the example of the Lord Jesus

18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are [ j ] oppressed;

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And
the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to
say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 So all bore
witness to Him, and marvelled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His
mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan