In those days, travelling philosophers made a good living.  They had a new idea and people paid to hear it, rather like bands today who entertain with their unique music.  They were entertainers.  Not so John.  He was under God's instructions to get people ready to welcome the Messiah (Luke 1:11-17).  He did not make any profit out of it at all, and nobody paid to hear his message.  His clothes and food (typical ways of showing wealth) were basic.  And so was his message, commanding repentance: it was unchanged since Isaiah wrote it, and still speaks today.

It was one thing for John's listeners to hear about the need to repent (Matthew 3:1-3); another thing to take action (Matthew 3:7-10).  His preaching confronted them with the immediate possibility of meeting the Messiah, and God's Spirit showed them the evil in their lives and hearts.  Knowing that they were not right before God, they confessed their sins (Mark 1:4-5).  Their baptism was a personal choice; it was evidence that they were serious about repentance and wanted God's forgiveness.

What did John get out of his appointment?  Nothing!  He had no benefit from his harsh lifestyle and relentless preaching except the knowledge that he had done his job and was able to introduce Jesus Christ as the sin-bearer of the world (John 1:29).  Shortly, he would be imprisoned and beheaded (Mark 6:17-29).  His reward was all to come in heaven (Luke 6:22-23).  

The temporary nature of this life was clearly understood by the Early Church.  Their lives were an opportunity to proclaim Christ and their greatest hope was to be welcomed by Jesus as a faithful servant (Matthew 25:19-21).  When their work is done, they meet their Lord (Matthew 16:27).  That was the normal understanding of Christian ministry in the Early Church, and it is the same today.  Although people should want to support their ministers, evangelists and missionaries financially, that must never be presumed.  When God calls, He also provides; although hardship is never far away, their reward is eternal.  Those who want to make money or a name for themselves in ministry have not understood what it is all about.  It is not about their popularity or power, but all about honouring Jesus.  It is not about getting people to follow them, but helping people to follow and glorify Jesus.