No Place for the Egotist

Numbers 18:1 KJV

And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

Gill writes of this passage, "…this shows that the office of priesthood, though honourable, was burdensome, and not to be envied; and that the people needed not to be under such terrible apprehensions as they were lest they should come too near the sanctuary, as to be in danger of death, since it lay upon the priests and Levites especially to take care thereof, and who, if negligent, would suffer."

I am reminded of Hebrews 13:17, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The responsibility of the pastorate is not to be envied and should only be taken on by those whose calling prevents them from any other. This is no place for the egotist and glory seeker and, while they may be able to create for themselves a comfortable living and in some cases a great deal of prosperity, they will give an account for their abuse of the office and of the presumption of being a minister.