by Michael Mooney, Exec. Elder
Paul’s Selfless Attitude and the Call to Faithful Ministry
A Lost Attitude in an Age of Self-Expression
In today’s world of constant digital connection, personal affirmation often shapes identity. Within that environment, Paul’s declaration in Acts 20:24 stands as a bold expression of what true devotion to ministry looks like. His concern was centered on completing the mission entrusted to him by Christ. The value of his life was defined through faithful service and the ongoing testimony of the gospel’s grace. This passage reveals Paul’s selfless attitude toward ministry, one radically opposed to a culture driven by self-expression and personal affirmation.
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24, ESV)
Throughout Acts 20, Paul’s selfless attitude is displayed through his willingness to suffer loss for the sake of the gospel. According to The Oxford Bible Commentary, Paul’s statement carries the tone of an ancient farewell message, a leader’s final charge to those who would continue his work. It reveals a heart entirely focused on the purpose given by God rather than on the preservation of comfort or personal legacy (Barton and Muddiman, 2001).
His words illustrate how the worth of a minister’s life flows from obedience to divine calling rather than from personal acclaim or external success.
The Exegetical Weight of Paul’s Resolve
Kevin Gary Smith explains in How to Do an Exegetical Study that understanding Scripture requires careful attention to the author’s intent. In Acts 20:24, Paul uses the Greek term diamartyrasthai, meaning “to testify with solemn authority.” This expression points to the sacred seriousness with which Paul viewed his task (Smith, 2006). He saw his ministry as a race marked by endurance and faithfulness, and his joy was found in completing the course assigned by Christ.
The ultimate aim of every believer should be for the glory of God. Paul embodied this principle through a life of dedication that sought divine purpose above all else. He lived with a settled conviction that ministry is an act of endurance and faithfulness, rather than a pursuit of recognition.
Ministry in the Age of “Me”
R. A. Torrey once observed, “When self becomes the center, service dies. But when Christ is all, even suffering becomes joy” (Torrey, 1898). That insight exposes a challenge that modern ministers frequently face. In a culture shaped by visibility and personal branding, it is easy for ministry to shift from serving others to maintaining influence. Yet authentic service grows from humility and a continual awareness of God’s grace.
In my Smart Discipleship Model, I explore this tension in a modern context. The digital age gives ministers unique opportunities for connection, but it also tempts them to focus on appearance rather than transformation. Christian leaders are encouraged to use every digital platform as a place of discipleship rather than a means of self-promotion. Such intentional restraint reflects Paul’s pattern of self-forgetful service, a life centered on Christ’s mission rather than personal significance.
The Call to Finish Well
Paul’s words remind every minister that the essence of calling is faithfulness. The “course” (dromos) described in Acts 20:24 represents the divinely appointed path of one’s service. To finish it well requires steadfast endurance, humility, and joy in obedience.
Each servant of Christ must regularly ask:
Am I proclaiming grace or seeking approval?
Am I finishing the course or shaping it around personal ambition?
Authentic ministry flows from the posture of a witness rather than that of a performer. When grace becomes the focus, the minister’s life becomes a living testimony of the gospel’s transforming power. The Church today benefits most from those who quietly serve, not from those who seek applause.
Paul’s reflection continues to inspire ministers to surrender personal agendas and embrace a deeper dependence on Christ. His life invites every servant to measure success by faithfulness, not fame, and to see every act of service as part of a greater testimony of grace.
May those who serve today find their fulfillment in the same truth that sustained Paul: the joy of finishing the course with unwavering devotion to the Lord who called them.
Call to Action
Ministers seeking to cultivate faithful, Christ-centered service rather than performance-driven ministry are encouraged to pursue ongoing theological grounding and pastoral accountability through the National Association of Christian Ministers. If you are not yet a member, you are invited to learn more and apply at https://nacministers.com/.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Paul mean by “finishing my course” in Acts 20:24?
Paul refers to the divinely assigned path of obedience and witness given to him by Christ. The term reflects endurance, completion, and faithfulness rather than achievement or recognition.
How does Paul’s selfless attitude challenge modern ministry culture?
Paul’s words confront tendencies toward self-promotion, personal branding, and approval-seeking by redefining success as obedience to God’s calling rather than visibility or acclaim.
Why is endurance emphasized in faithful ministry?
Scripture presents ministry as a long obedience rather than a moment of influence. Endurance reflects trust in God’s purpose and joy in completing what He assigns.
How can digital platforms be used without undermining humility?
When used intentionally for discipleship rather than self-display, digital tools can serve the gospel while preserving the posture of witness rather than performance.
References
- Barton, J., and Muddiman, J. (Eds.). (2001). The Oxford Bible Commentary. Oxford University Press.
- Boyce, J. P. (1887). Abstract of Systematic Theology. Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
- Mooney, M. P. (2014). Smart Discipleship: Applying Transformational Leadership to a Discipleship Model of Worship to Train Ministers for Smartphone Engagements. Capella University.
- Smith, K. G. (2006). How to Do an Exegetical Study. South African Theological Seminary Press.
- Torrey, R. A. (1898). What the Bible Teaches. AGES Digital Library.