'Useless Fault Finding' (Spurgeon gems)

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The last few years of pastoral ministry have been especially joyful.  In large part this is because those who excelled most at highlighting specks in others eventually saw fit to take their "fault finding" elsewhere.  In this vein, I know of one pastor who during one sit down meeting was criticized for three plus hours.  The sad irony was that this brother had some pretty significant logs in his own ministry/marriage/family.  During this lengthy meeting this member never once admitted any of those shortcomings or failures (see Matthew 7:1-5).  During meetings like this it is often best to say very little and to not turn the tables.  To evaluate the criticisms and accusations of others and to swallow any kernels of truth and to spit out the rest.  

In this vein, I came across this encouraging word from Charles Spurgeon.  "From the earliest period it has been found impossible for the messengers whom God has sent to suit their style of utterance to the tastes of all."

Many hearers lose much blessing through criticizing too much, and meditating too little; and many more incur great sin by calumniating those who live for the good of others. True pastors have enough of care and travail without being burdened by undeserved and useless fault-finding.  We have something better to do than to be forever answering every malignant or frivolous slander which is set afloat to injure us.

We expected to prove our ministry “by evil report and by good report,” and we are not therefore overwhelmed by abuse as though some new thing had happened unto us; and yet there are tender, loving spirits who feel the trial very keenly, and are sadly hindered in brave service by cruel assaults.

The rougher and stronger among us laugh at those who ridicule us, but upon others the effect is very sorrowful. For their sakes are these pages written; may they be a warning to wanton witlings who defame the servants of the Most High God.

As ministers we are very far from being perfect, but many of us are doing our best, and we are grieved that the minds of our people should be more directed to our personal imperfections than to our divine message.

God has purposely put his treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power should be ascribed to himself alone: we beseech our hearers not to be so occupied with the faults of the casket as to forget the jewel. Wisdom is justified of her children, and grace works by such instruments as it pleases. Reader, be it yours to profit by all my Master’s servants, and even by

Yours truly,

C.H. Spurgeon” 


I am thankful for my present congregation who graciously strives to flesh out 1 Thess. 5:12-13. 
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.  

For any pastors out there who are tempted to "grow weary in doing good" I would encourage you to find your joy in Christ.  I also would also encourage you with this word of personal testimony: The calm after the storm is especially peaceful!  Press on in his strength (2 Cor 12:7-10)!