Nobody likes to suffer, but sometimes it is a part of the job description. That is certainly true for mothers giving birth and also true for people who are committed to tell others about Jesus. It was also true for Jesus as He took our sins in His own body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). He is our model and in a Jesus-rejecting world, faith and suffering are inescapably linked (Philippians 1:29). Paul did not want to do or say anything, which would get in the way of his message. He would rather suffer in his lifetime than that other people should suffer for eternity (1 Corinthians 9:22).

In what way did Paul suffer? Partly as a direct result of persecution - resulting in riots, beatings and imprisonment. But much was the hardship of working hard long hours, either in tent-making to support himself or in evangelism and disciple-making. He fitted his life around the times when seekers were available, after or before work, hence the sleepless nights. It was hard to keep on giving out in ministry when exhausted, when tempted to modify the truth for the sake of being accepted, and when being slandered. In all this, as well as the physical dangers of travel (2 Corinthians 11:25-26), Paul was determined that he should help people to find Jesus. He did not want to be an obstacle, either through drawing people to himself instead of Christ, compromising the message, or failing to work hard at his gospel job.

The effect of Paul's ministry, apart from the planting of churches through evangelism, was to reduce him to a 'nobody-figure'. He was not rich or powerful; he did not have a charismatic reputation nor was he a celebrity preacher; he was ridiculed and ill-treated – like Jesus. But in his heart, Paul rejoiced because he made people spiritually rich as they received the gospel message. That was what mattered to him, irrespective of whatever might become of him. Like John the Baptist, Paul's life-principle was that Christ should be greater and he should become less (John 3:30).

What a contrast with some believers and ministries today, where wealth or power or popularity or prestige become the yardsticks to measure success. The pioneer missionaries who took the gospel around the world had a radically different perspective. C T Studd, the English cricketer and missionary of 100 years ago wrote, "Only one life, t'will soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." Technology may have shrunk the world, but has the world so seeped into the church, shrinking our spiritual ambitions as we become obsessed with ourselves, that we fail to prioritise leading others to Christ? If so, something is tragically wrong. That is not the Jesus-lifestyle, nor the hallmark of apostolic ministry. It is time to wake up and take our gospel responsibilities seriously (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11), whatever that shall cost us.