Many believers feel the need of encouragement as they seek to follow Jesus. They look to pastors and teachers in the same way that the early Christians looked to Paul and his apostolic team. There is often a presumption that because God's servants keep on giving sacrificially to their flock, they do not need any encouragement themselves. That is far from true. And if their ministry is supported by your gifts, you have not paid them to be your servants.
 

Some people think that the Christian's faith is a private matter, to comfort the heart and give hope. It certainly does that, but so much more. The gospel, through which we came to faith, is about glorifying God - as we admit and repent of our sin and receive His new life. How does that glorify God?

The call of God firstly convicts us of our sin (John 16:8) and leads us to Jesus the Saviour.

Greek culture considered that philosophy and thinking were superior to manual work. They loved to spend hours debating rather than engaging in productive work – they had slaves to do the menial tasks. Probably much of the world now thinks the same. High energy executives may cause great disturbance among the workforce as they try out their latest ideas, always seeking a new profitable opportunity.