Read or Get Out of the Ministry
To be effective in ministry, one must continually seek to learn and grow, sharpening their knowledge and understanding like a sharp axe.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of continuous learning for ministers, drawing on wisdom from figures like Joseph H. Smith and John Wesley, who advocated for reading widely to enhance one's understanding and effectiveness in ministry. He likens the pursuit of knowledge to sharpening an axe, suggesting that a well-prepared mind makes the work of ministry easier and more fruitful. Tozer encourages ministers to prioritize their intellectual growth, as it honors God and equips them for their calling.
Text
A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel. --Proverbs 1:5
When a very young minister, I asked the famous holiness preacher, Joseph H. Smith, whether he would recommend that I read widely in the secular field. He replied, "Young man, a bee can find nectar in the weed as well as in the flower." I took his advice (or, to be frank, I sought confirmation of my own instincts rather than advice) and I am not sorry that I did.
John Wesley told the young ministers of the Wesleyan Societies to read or get out of the ministry, and he himself read science and history with a book propped against his saddle pommel as he rode from one engagement to another. Andy Dolbow, the American Indian preacher of considerable note, was a man of little education, but I once heard him exhort his hearers to improve their minds for the honor of God. "When you are chopping wood," he explained, "and you have a dull axe you must work all the harder to cut the log. A sharp axe makes easy work. So sharpen your axe all you can." The Size of the Soul, 33.
"In the busyness of life, Lord, help me to always guard time to sharpen my axe. Amen."
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Reading
- Examples of Reading in Ministry
- The Necessity of Sharpening the Axe
- A dull axe requires more effort
- A sharp axe makes easy work
- Sharpening the axe is essential for growth
Key Quotes
“A bee can find nectar in the weed as well as in the flower.” — A.W. Tozer
“When you are chopping wood, and you have a dull axe you must work all the harder to cut the log. A sharp axe makes easy work. So sharpen your axe all you can.” — A.W. Tozer
“In the busyness of life, Lord, help me to always guard time to sharpen my axe. Amen.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Make time to read and learn, even if it's just a few minutes each day.
- Prioritize personal growth and development in your ministry.
- Seek to gain a broader understanding of the world and its complexities through reading in secular fields.