Caring for the most precious thing on earth

I had some extra time in the airport yesterday and finished reading Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch (see link for a balanced review). Strauch is well read in this area, which means a very enjoyable part of the book was the quotes from others.

Since elders are often tentmakers (i.e. they have another vocation outside the church), they must adopt a sacrificial lifestyle. This led to my favorite line in the book,

Tentmakers must live a pruned life and literally find leisure and rest in the rhythm of serving Christ (Mt 11:28).

Later in the book he returns to this theme, "they [elders] bear the misunderstanding and sins of others so that the assembly may live in peace. They lose sleep so that others may rest. They make great personal sacrifices of time and energy for the welfare of others."

The puritan Richard Baxter, always a source of great quotes, admonishes elders,

Can you not hear Christ saying, "Did I die for these people and will you then refuse to look after them? Were they worth my blood, and are they not worth your labor? Did I come down from Heaven to seek and save the lost, and will you refuse to go next door, or to the next street or village to seek them?

In closing, Strauch points out that to God the Church is the most precious thing on earth. An elder performs an exceedingly excellent work; one that is worthy of the sacrifice of one's life.