Zhong Cheng (pseudonym), a devout male believer in his 40s, has dedicated over two decades of his life to serving the Lord. Currently employed as a staff member at a thriving church in East China, Zhong Cheng has traversed a journey from receiving no salary to having some basic living expenses covered. Despite now enjoying a stable income, it remains insufficient due to the heavy responsibilities he carries, including supporting both his immediate and extended family members as well as raising his own children.
Over twenty years ago, when Zhong Cheng had just assumed the position of a full-time minister without any remuneration, life was persistently arduous for him. Upon getting married, he did not even possess a personal residence and instead resided in his elder brother's home, preparing his meals in the basement. On a distressing occasion, when his father fell ill, and while his siblings contributed to the medical expenses, Zhong Cheng was unable to provide financial support for his father's treatment.
Notably, some families of full-time ministers had enterprises or factories at their disposal, allowing them to focus solely on their service without the financial concerns that burdened Zhong Cheng. His wife once questioned why he couldn't earn money like these individuals by establishing a business. Overwhelmed by emotions, he implored God through tears, saying, "Lord, allow me to temporarily leave the church for three years to engage in business. Let me accumulate some savings so I can resume serving you without excessive financial pressure."
During his prayer, he heard echoes of Mordecai's words to Esther: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this?" Encouraged, he responded to his wife by highlighting that while other church staff members were capable of establishing factories or businesses, he possessed greater blessings in his life.
Zhong Cheng's journey of service was undoubtedly challenging, yet it was also filled with divine grace.
Initially, his elder brother planned to purchase a house located far from their hometown, but their mother disagreed. As a result, his brother decided to add additional floors to their existing building, providing Zhong Cheng and his family with living space.
The extracurricular programs attended by his son were facilitated by fellow believers who offered him a generous fifty percent discount. Similarly, upon learning that Zhong Cheng was a minister, the person in charge of his daughter's kindergarten willingly extended a fifty percent reduction in fees, greatly alleviating his financial burdens.
Therefore, whenever Zhong Cheng learned about grassroots evangelists struggling with financial hardships, he wholeheartedly endeavors to assist them. He stated, "Having personally experienced the hardships of poverty, I have a deep sense of empathy for individuals currently facing similar circumstances. Recognizing the challenges faced by the impoverished, I am dedicated to offering whatever assistance I can provide."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
钟诚弟兄（化名）已经40多岁的年纪了，是一位80后，为主服事已经有20多年的时间了。
钟诚弟兄是一位华东地区某个教会的同工，他所在的地区比较富裕。他经历从没有薪资到开始有基本的一些生活费，再到当前有稳定的薪资。但是仍然不够，仍然面对赡养父母、教养儿女、养家糊口等生活上的压力与艰难。
20多年前，钟诚弟兄才刚刚全职服事。那时，全职传道人是没有什么工资的，因此，他的生活一直比较艰难。结婚的时候连房子都没有，就只能住在自己大哥 家，而平常做饭也只能在地下室里面。
有一次父亲生病，家里每一个兄弟都会出钱给父亲治病，然而钟诚弟兄却无法拿出钱来给父亲治病。
有些全职同工要么是家里有企业，要么是家里有工厂，所以能安心服侍。
妻子问他，别人可以办厂、办企业，你为什么不可以？于是，他哭着向上帝祷告说：“主啊，我和你请假三年。你让我出去做一个事业，让我稍微有点经济底子，我再来服事你，这样我也不用有太大压力。”
正祷告着，一句话突然在他的心里浮现，那是末底改对以斯帖说的话：“此时你若闭口不言，犹大人必从别处得解脱，蒙拯救，你和你父家必至灭亡。焉知你得了王后的位分，不是为现今的机会吗？”
祷告后，他回复妻子说：“别人是同工，我也是同工，别人可以办厂、办企业，但是我不可以，因为我领受的恩比别人大。”
钟诚弟兄一路服事真的很苦，但是也满是恩典。
原本他的哥哥是计划要在离家远一点的地方买房子的，但是他的母亲却不同意。因此，哥哥在原有旧房子的基础上重新盖了几层新的楼房。其中，分给了钟诚弟兄一套房子。
他儿子上的课外班，刚好是教会的弟兄姐妹们开办的，他们都给钟诚弟兄打了半价的优惠。而女儿读幼儿园的负责人在听说他是传道人的身份之后，也愿意给他打半价，这让他的压力减轻了不少。
因此，当钟诚弟兄知道有些基层传道人经济上的艰难时，他都会想方设法地帮助他们。
“我自己穷过了，我见不得别人穷。贫穷的人特别的苦，能帮的我尽量帮。”
故事 | 服事20年来因薪资问题带来的苦辣咸
Zhong Cheng (pseudonym), a devout male believer in his 40s, has dedicated over two decades of his life to serving the Lord. Currently employed as a staff member at a thriving church in East China, Zhong Cheng has traversed a journey from receiving no salary to having some basic living expenses covered. Despite now enjoying a stable income, it remains insufficient due to the heavy responsibilities he carries, including supporting both his immediate and extended family members as well as raising his own children.
Over twenty years ago, when Zhong Cheng had just assumed the position of a full-time minister without any remuneration, life was persistently arduous for him. Upon getting married, he did not even possess a personal residence and instead resided in his elder brother's home, preparing his meals in the basement. On a distressing occasion, when his father fell ill, and while his siblings contributed to the medical expenses, Zhong Cheng was unable to provide financial support for his father's treatment.
Notably, some families of full-time ministers had enterprises or factories at their disposal, allowing them to focus solely on their service without the financial concerns that burdened Zhong Cheng. His wife once questioned why he couldn't earn money like these individuals by establishing a business. Overwhelmed by emotions, he implored God through tears, saying, "Lord, allow me to temporarily leave the church for three years to engage in business. Let me accumulate some savings so I can resume serving you without excessive financial pressure."
During his prayer, he heard echoes of Mordecai's words to Esther: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this?" Encouraged, he responded to his wife by highlighting that while other church staff members were capable of establishing factories or businesses, he possessed greater blessings in his life.
Zhong Cheng's journey of service was undoubtedly challenging, yet it was also filled with divine grace.
Initially, his elder brother planned to purchase a house located far from their hometown, but their mother disagreed. As a result, his brother decided to add additional floors to their existing building, providing Zhong Cheng and his family with living space.
The extracurricular programs attended by his son were facilitated by fellow believers who offered him a generous fifty percent discount. Similarly, upon learning that Zhong Cheng was a minister, the person in charge of his daughter's kindergarten willingly extended a fifty percent reduction in fees, greatly alleviating his financial burdens.
Therefore, whenever Zhong Cheng learned about grassroots evangelists struggling with financial hardships, he wholeheartedly endeavors to assist them. He stated, "Having personally experienced the hardships of poverty, I have a deep sense of empathy for individuals currently facing similar circumstances. Recognizing the challenges faced by the impoverished, I am dedicated to offering whatever assistance I can provide."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Story: Assisted by Others, Indigent Minister Willing to Extend Aid
