Let us observe that our Lord charges His apostles, when He sends them forth to study simplicity of habits, and contentment with such things as they have. These instructions contain a lesson for all time. The spirit of these verses is meant to be remembered by all ministers of the Gospel. The leading idea which the words convey is a warning against worldliness and luxurious habits.
Well would it be for the world and the Church, if the warning had been more carefully heeded! From no quarter has Christianity received such damage as it has from the hands of its own ministers! On no point have its ministers erred so much, and so often as in the matter of personal worldliness, and luxury of life. They have often destroyed, by their daily lives the whole work of their lips! They have given occasion to the enemies of religion to say that they love ease, and money, and earthly things far more than souls.
From such ministers, may we pray daily that the Church may be delivered! They are a living stumbling-block in the way to Heaven. They are helpers to the cause of the devil and not of God. The preacher whose affections are set on money, and finery and feasting, and pleasure-seeking has clearly mistaken his vocation. He has forgotten his Master's instructions. He is not an apostolic man!
[J. C. Ryle]
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Luke 9:3-4 ... And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
Acts 8:20 ... But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Acts 20:28-29 ... Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.❤
