Beyond Sunday: Not a Burden

[Editor's note: Beyond Sunday is a Monday refresher to carry you through the week.]

Focus Verse of the Week

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. - Hebrews 13:17

Classic Commentary

They keep watch over you as men who must give an account
They watch not for themselves, for their worldly gain and advantage. No, they watch for the souls of men, to do them good, to comfort and edify them, to feed them with knowledge and understanding, and for the salvation of them. They must give an account to several entities. First, to their own consciences, that they discharge their work well, or they cannot be satisfied. Second, to the church, to whom they minister and to whom they are accountable, if they are negligent. And third and most importantly, they must give account before the judgment seat of Christ, and give an account to him of their ministry, of their use of talents committed to them, and of souls that are put under their care and charge.

So that their work will be a joy, not a burden
Either do their work with joy, cheerfully - which they do when they are obeyed and submitted to; when men attend upon the word and ordinances administered by them, and receive advantage, and grow in grace and spiritual knowledge; when they abide by the Gospel, and walk worthy of it. Otherwise they do their work heavily and with sorrow.

(Adapted from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible)

A Thought to Keep

Pastors and other church leaders walk around with a target painted on their backs, and we shoot at them with every complaint about the sermon being dull or program not fitting our needs. Give your elders, deacons, and pastors encouragement this week by letting them see the fruits of the Spirit in you.