Acts 20:33-34 NKJV
“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.”
Having a clear conscience of one’s actions while serving the LORD is invaluable. It frees the mind and opens the heart to easily receive what God is speaking at any moment. It also makes the ministry of God’s word receive the respect and trust it ought to have from our hearers. The Scripture talks about two men who openly put their lives on the line for God’s call, and had a great impact with a clear conscience; Samuel and Paul are they. To begin with, there are some common things between the two. Firstly, God called both Samuel and Paul by name the day He revealed Himself to them (1 Sam 3; Act 9). That marked a major and blessed turning point in the lives and the callings of both men.
Secondly, just as Samuel needed Eli’s help to understand what was going on the day God visited him, Paul had Ananias, whom God appointed at the right time to help him understand what to do next. Years later, Samuel had this to say to the Israelites: “…I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you” (1 Sam 12:2-3 NKJV). Amazingly, the people said to Samuel, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand” (1 Sam 12:4 NKJV). Hallelujah!
Years later, close to his death, Paul testified that “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me”, as in our reference text. Hallelujah! Beloved, having our own resources and being resourceful are so vital for advancing our Kingdom mandates with a clear conscience and testimony. The Word says, “…let our own [people really] learn to apply themselves to good deeds (to honest labor and honorable employment), so that they may be able to meet necessary demands whenever the occasion may require and not be living idle and uncultivated and unfruitful lives” (Tit 3:14 AMPC). Hallelujah!
Pst. Emmanuel