Paul did not count his own life dear.

Paul served the Lord with ALL humility of mind, with MANY tears and temptations. Paul kept nothing back that was profitable, but taught publicly from house to house. Paul testified to Jews and Greeks of repentance to God, and faith to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Getting ready to go BOUND in the SPIRIT to Jerusalem, not knowing what was going to happen to him, but the HOLY SPIRIT told him that in every city bonds and affliction were there. 

Paul knowing the HOLY SPIRIT was telling him that chains, imprisonment, pain, beatings, whippings, abuse waited for him - did NOT let that stop him from desiring to go. 

Paul did NOT count his own life dear.

He would finish his life with JOY.

His life was the ministry he was called to by the LORD JESUS, testifying to the gospel of the grace of God.

So I ask once again, knowing this truth of Paul's life, what makes people believe they should have an easy, carefree life? Did all those Paul preached to suddenly have an easy life? They believe the message of the gospel, of salvation through Jesus Christ, the were baptized into His Way, His death and life, and were they left with a life of all good things? No. Not a single Christian is promised an easy life here and now, not one. Our idea of an easy life has become so skewed over the many, many years of sin that there is no wonder few would have what we term an easy life. Somewhere along the line people began to equate possessions with a good life. Having just what you needed and no more, wasn't considered a good thing- a desired thing.  Keeping up with the latest gadgets and games, fashions and fads, cars and boats, this is the sort of thing people desire rather than being content with so much less.

Paul's life wasn't one of possessions. Did those he preached to have lives of possessions? Some did. Not everyone is called to a life like Paul, but we are told that Paul is a pattern of the grace of God for us. 

Paul did NOT count his own life dear. Paul found his worth only in Christ Jesus.  No matter what we possess in material things our worth is NOT in what we possess, it's in WHO we possess, and if we possess a life of salvation having Christ with us, then we are of the richest of the rich.

Let us use Paul's life as a pattern of the grace of God for us, this was everything to Paul and it needs to be everything to us! Please, Lord, please!

Act 20:17  And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 

Act 20:18  And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 

Act 20:19  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 

Act 20:20  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 

Act 20:21  Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Act 20:22  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 

Act 20:23  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 

Act 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.