There are 27 books that make up the New Testament. Of these, the apostle Paul wrote just over half of them. Paul was a chosen vessel unto Christ, our Lord. He had extraordinary knowledge concerning the law and the prophets. His zeal in these matters far exceeded those around him. But Paul had not seen the fulfilling of the words of the prophets until Jesus appeared to him while on the road to Damascus. His purpose was to further persecute the church of Christ, but the end result was that he became the greatest preacher of that same church, second only to Jesus Christ.

Having a full grasp of all that the prophets wrote cleared the way for Paul to see that they all pointed to Jesus. But not until he first received the gift of the Holy Ghost, “Even the spirit of Truth,” which can only come from above. Then the words of the prophets accomplished all that was written and were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Paul saw his beloved law and the prophets bring forth Christ, his eternal savior. And from that point forward, he preached the gospel of Christ with the same zeal that he had previously used against it. What once had seemed contrary to the word of God, now became the very heart and soul of God’s purpose.

In all his years of preaching the gospel, did Paul have an easy time of it? Did he have a furnished house and a better than average salary, like most of today’s preachers? Was he carried high and well spoken of? Let’s look at Paul’s own words and let him answer.

Writing to the Thessalonians and to all of us, Paul offered these words. “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:6-9)

“What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:18) His reward was seeing others turn to the truth.

When Paul came to Corinth, he met Aquila and his wife Priscilla, who were of the same occupation as Paul. They were tentmakers, and Paul worked with them while teaching in the synagogue every sabbath. (Acts 8:1-4)

Paul stayed in one place, teaching the word of God for as long as the people needed him, or until the spirit called him elsewhere. In all his travels, there were a few who heard and believed, and these loved Paul and were honored to have him in their home.

But such love and respect were not always the case. There were times when the apostle Paul was in need of material things, as well as friends who would stand with him. At such times, he trusted wholly in the Lord to see him through.

He said, “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.” (1 Corinthians 4:11-13) Notice, Paul mentions again that he labored with his own hands.

In such trying times as these, Paul didn’t have material wealth to turn to for relaxation and privacy. There was no such thing as a vacation for him, but this man of God was always ready to teach and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ in any situation. Even the threat of losing his life didn’t stop Paul, but instead of cowering in fear, he prayed for boldness and for renewed strength that he might stand firm in the truth of the one who called him to the marvelous light.

Did Paul have a stressful schedule? Did he suffer wrongfully at the hands of others? Listen to what he said, and you be the judge.

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.” (2 Corinthians 11:8)

Notice, the wages were for the purpose of helping the Corinthians, not for Paul’s personal gain. He goes on to say, “and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.” (11:9)

In his years of preaching and establishing the early churches in sound doctrine, the apostle Paul traveled untold miles across treacherous seas and rugged trails. He needed footwear, winter clothes, ship fare, lodging, food, and the necessary things for daily living. Paul did not use his position and authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ to live a sumptuous life style at the expense of others. There were some who loved Paul and the gospel he preached and could afford to help him. He did not receive it as his own; instead, he used it to further promote the gospel. And remember, Paul was not above working with his own hands.

Read again the words of Paul. “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:18)

The great apostle Paul died a poor man in this life, but he had great treasure in heaven. Near the end of his life, Paul had this testimony. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

When Jesus first sent his disciples out to preach the gospel and heal the sick, he sent them to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They were not sent to the Gentiles but only to their own people. Jesus told them that they need not to take money nor provisions for the flesh. And he said that when they entered into a house, they should eat and drink “such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire.” (Luke 10:7) In Matthew 10:10, he says that “the workman is worthy of his meat.” Nowhere can we read that they should be paid for preaching the gospel.

They lacked nothing when they went to the lost sheep of Israel, because Jesus willed it to be so. But when the time came to preach to the Gentiles and unbelievers, Jesus said, “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip.” (Luke 22:36)

Take away the money and the praise of men and women, and demand that they preach the straight and narrow doctrine of Jesus (few know it), and how many true preachers of the gospel would be left?