Not Teaching Others? That's Miserable!
The apostle Paul was as passionate a teacher as any, save Christ Himself. Paul was constantly seeking opportunities to preach the word and teach anybody and everybody God's powerful gospel. In one of his letters to the Christians at Corinth, Paul wrote, "woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (I Corinthians 9:16). In some versions of the Bible, Paul writes that he would be "miserable" if he didn't teach others about salvation through Christ. There are lots of things that you and I might consider miserable. But Paul saw one key thing as the most miserable of them all and in that are some important reminders for us.
First, our job as Christians is to teach others. Consider the situation that would arise if people believed the gospel's message, obeyed what it teaches by being baptized, and then never sought to teach someone else. Commonsense tells us that it wouldn't take very long for the world to be void of those men and women who are necessary in preaching God's message to others. Paul told Timothy that one of the key reasons he was to teach others was so that the "chain-effect" of Christianity might be continual. The apostle said, "And the things you have heard from me... commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (II Timothy 2:2). If there was ever someone who considered this advice paramount, it was Paul who spent every bit of his energy trying to teach the world.
Second, our "boasting" in light of our teaching isn't really necessary. Sure, all of us are excited when we make a new acquaintance, find someone we might invite to worship, or think we might have a potential prospect. Indeed, we should be excited about the opportunities God gives us to teach others. Yet, it's really interesting to notice Paul's incredible attitude when he says, "if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of" (I Corinthians 9:16). Paul's attitude was not that preaching was something to not be proud of or excited about. Rather, the persecutor turned promoter of Christ saw his speaking the truth as a natural part of who he was as a child of God.
Finally, Paul understood the true and everlasting reward for his efforts. "I have a reward" Paul wrote, as long as he preached Jesus in a willing manner (I Corinthians 9:17). The scriptures provide ample evidence and authority for the fact that Paul was compensated monetarily for his work in preaching. Yet, Paul knew that the real prize was the salvation in Jesus and eternity with Him. Paul wrote that the Christian work is not in vain and that it is filled with important meaning (I Corinthians 15:58). What an important reminder for all of us as we go about our business of teaching the lost! We may not see all the results in our own time, but our efforts in God's service are always of immeasurable value.
In a world where many things might make us "miserable," let's work doubly hard to make sure that our failure to ever tell others of Christ is the one thing that might truly bring us to tears.