13/08/2026
Dear Pastors and Ministers of the Gospel,
There is dignity in ministry, but there is also dignity in work. A pastor should not be ashamed to work with his own hands.
The Bible says:
«“And whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV)»
The Word of God also declares:
«“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”
— Proverbs 14:23 (KJV)»
And concerning the righteous man, Psalm 1:3 says:
«“And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
— Psalm 1:3 (KJV)»
Pastor, do not think that because you are called to ministry you cannot work with your hands. Your work does not make you less spiritual, and having a business, profession, skill, or trade does not make you less of a servant of God.
The Apostle Paul himself worked with his hands. Acts 20:34 says:
«“Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.”»
Paul understood that ministry and honest labour could work together. His hands could serve both the purposes of the kingdom and his practical needs.
Even in the days of Nehemiah, we see a man fully engaged in God’s work while still active in practical labour. As the wall was being built, it is written:
«“They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.”
— Nehemiah 4:17 (KJV)»
Nehemiah also refused to be a burden to the people, showing integrity in leadership and provision (Nehemiah 5:14–18). This teaches us that God’s servants should not live off pressure, manipulation, or dependency, but with responsibility and honour.
Therefore, let us stop creating the impression that every minister must sit and wait for people to provide everything for him. If Christ is in you and you are serving Christ, you are in ministry. Whether you are preaching from the pulpit, working in an office, farming, doing business, building, driving, teaching, or using a professional skill, you can still serve God faithfully.
Pastors, let us also be careful not to depend only on Sunday offerings or constantly rely on people for survival. And let us stop borrowing money from people without repaying them. This brings reproach to the ministry and dishonours the name of the Lord.
There is nothing shameful about honest work.
In fact, the Bible says:
«“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
— 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV)»
Find something your hands can do. Develop your gift. Learn a skill. Start something. Work honestly. Build something.
Your pulpit is holy, but your hands can also be holy when they are used for honest labour.
The Bible says:
«“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”
— Psalm 90:17 (KJV)»
Pastors, let us raise a generation of ministers who pray with their mouths, serve with their hearts, and work with their hands.
Do not be ashamed of work.
Work and pray.
Pray and build.
Serve God and be responsible.
Use your hands, and let God establish the work of your hands.
May God give every pastor wisdom, diligence, creativity, and grace to prosper in the work He has placed in his hands.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
— Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV)
Yours in Christ Apostle Samuel Able
