I know what it’s like not to have the things I need, and I know what it’s like to have more than I need. I’ve learned the secret of being content in any circumstances. I’m content whether I’m well fed or hungry, whether I have more than enough or I don’t have enough.
We don’t give up if we’re beaten or put in prison, or if people stir up trouble in the streets. We work hard and go without sleep or food if we have to.
Brothers and sisters, I’m sure you remember how hard we worked. We labored night and day while we preached God’s good news to you so that we wouldn’t cause you any expense.
We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked night and day, laboring away so that we wouldn’t cause any expense to any of you.
Some were killed with stones, some were sawed in two, and some were killed by swords. They went around wearing the skins of sheep and goats. They were poor, systematically oppressed, and mistreated.
Are they serving Christ? I’m serving him even more. (I’m out of my mind to talk like this!) I’ve worked much harder. I’ve been in prison more often. I’ve suffered terrible beatings. Again and again I’ve almost died.
Don’t deprive each other. You could agree not to have sexual relations for a while if you really needed time to pray. But after that, you should go back to having sexual relations. Otherwise, Satan will tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Paul and Barnabas appointed people who’d trusted in the Lord to be elders in each church. They prayed and fasted and committed the elders to the Lord’s care.