Day 13: 20:24

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”



As Paul was finishing his third missionary Journey, he was faced with a real dilemma. He was headed to Jerusalem with a collection for the believers there. He had collected it from the churches in Asia that he had been visiting. He knew that things would be rough for him in Jerusalem. His own people were more than a little upset with him, because they saw him as a traitor to God. As he made the trip home, he stopped at Ephesus, a town where he had worked very hard, and a church that was obviously very dear to him. At their port, he addressed the elders of the church there for what Paul knew could very well be the last time.


Paul could have stayed there, in Ephesus, where his life could be prolonged and he could continue to serve the churches in the area. He could have turned the other way and gone on yet another missionary journey. If Paul had cared about his life more than he cared about serving God, he could have done either of those things. But his speech to the Ephesian Elders shows something about Paul that every leader must learn.


Paul had come to the realization that no matter what, God had things well in hand. Paul knew that his life was no longer his own, but God’s. God would use Paul as He needed to further His kingdom and bring the message of salvation to a lost world.


To take this attitude, Paul had to stop worrying about his own life and let God handle the details. This kind of attitude is not natural to us, in fact, it is very unnatural. We look to protect ourselves above everything else. Some consider that the right thing to do. Others, like Paul, see it as selfish. Paul believed that his life did not count as much as the people in Jerusalem that the offering would help; that his life did not mean as much as the salvation that God would bring through the preaching of Paul, no matter where God took him.


A Christian leader has to have Paul’s attitude. Our own life, our own wants, our own dreams, they are now second to the plan of an almighty God and our Savior. This means total commitment to a life of serving God and others. It’s not a halfway thing. Paul knew that. He lived it. Listen to his words: "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to me.”


If we think that we can interject ourselves whenever we want and serve God part time, we’re missing out on his purpose, His blessing, and His cause. God empowers the leader that gives his life fully over to God. Remember, the first… will be last. And the last, the one that gives up his life… he gains life. Be the person who gains it.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: Our lives are tools of God for His glory and His purpose.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Luke 9:23-27, Matthew 10:24-42


Prayer: Father, thank you for your promise to provide everything that we need. Thank you for giving us salvation through your Son. Help me to be unselfish. Help me to give my whole life to You. Thank You for your plan for my life, and help me to follow it. In Christ’s name, amen.