I recognize my weakness and inability, and am happy that many of my brethren have, in my opinion, much greater talent and ability than do I; and I am thankful for such brethren. I am also thankful that I have no envy or jealousy in my heart toward them or any of my brethren, but rather that of love for all.

It is not my intention to criticize any one; but in the light of God's Word I am unable to find where the Lord ever gave approval to any kind of "GREAT PREACHER" idea. Does one with superior talent and ability distinguish himself as being " GREAT" in the sight of the Lord? Does such ability make him greater than other faithful servants of the Lord? According to Matt. 25:14 to 23, we find that the Lord recognized the two talent man as being just as "great" as the five talent man, and gave them each the same reward, showing that one was not considered greater than the other. Furthermore, in reading Matt. 20:20 to 27, we note that Jesus refused to distinguish or so designate any one of His disciples as being "GREAT," or "GREATER'7 than any one of the other disciples. So, where do we get such authority to so distinguish among our brethren? Certainly not from our Lord, nor any of His inspired Apostles. There is no such class distinction found in the Word of God regarding the apostle Paul, Peter, or any of the apostles. It would seem that the Lord condemns such a practice in the words of the apostle Paul, in saying that those who measure and compare themselves among themselves are not wise. "For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth" (II Cor. 10:12,18). Again, we are told to judge not another man's servant; and, "That no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that those didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why cost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (Rom. 14:4; I Cor. 4:3 to 7. Also read I Peter 5:5,6).

Beloved brethren, it would seem that we are not in harmony with the Lord and His Word in making such distinctions between faithful servants of the Lord, designating some as "GREAT," or as "BIG PREACHER" and Little Preacher."

Truth Magazine VII: 11, pp. 21b
August 1963