A minister must express his love for his flock in determined and practical ways. Although the minister should be concerned about practical needs (1 Thessalonians 2:7–9), he must focus particularly on preparing people for the day of Christ.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813–1843) provides us with a more recent example of a pastor who devoted himself in love to the needs of his flock. M’Cheyne lived and ministered in Scotland, and though he died before he turned thirty he made a profound impact on his own town and the nation at large. His friend, Andrew Bonar, writes of his devotion to his people:

Sickness sometimes forced him to rest and taught him what he had to suffer; but he rose from it to continue with his joyful labours. Often, after an exhausting day, there were people waiting to receive counsel from him, so that he had to begin work in a new form. But this was his delight; it was a type of interruption that he allowed even on a Saturday, in the midst of his studies. On one occasion, at a pressing moment, he had turned someone away; that person never returned, and as a result he had resolved never to put off anyone seeking his counsel to a later time. He was so alive to the responsibilities of his office that he dared not miss the opportunity of speaking to someone who had become concerned about his spiritual state. One evening, while he was busy with work outside his own neighbourhood, he was asked if he was prepared to see anyone that night. Surely—what do we live for? was his immediate reply.¹

This is just one example of a commitment to minister to the needs of one’s people. Each situation is different, and the needs which call for one’s attention vary greatly. The principle, however, remains: one must be sensitive to people’s needs and one must be ready to serve and care for them.