APRIL 27

A Healthy Addiction (the household of Stephanas)

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 16:13-18

“They have addicted themselves to the ministry” (1 Corinthians 16:15, KJV).

According to Webster’s Dictionary, to be addicted is “to devote or surrender oneself to something habitually or obsessively.”  There are a great number of things to which people are prone to become addicted—alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, video games, etc.  People can even be addicted to shopping.  Oniomania is the technical name given to that disorder.  Funny, I’m never prone to exhibiting oniomania when I visit a fabric store, but maybe if I’m looking for sporting goods! 

We are prone, by nature, to addictive behavior.  The lusts of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and boastful pride of life constitute desires within us that beg for satisfaction (1 John 2:16).  The pleasure realized in the practice of any particular sin quickly diminishes, leaving in its path a hunger for more or better.  We are all born into this world as sin-addicts, foolishly attempting to  satisfy our thirst for God in the empty promises of broken cisterns (1 Peter 1:18; Romans 6:21).

Jesus was an addict of another kind.  His life was utterly devoid of sin.  He was addicted to serving—indeed, that was the purpose for which He came (Mark 10:45).  To be delivered from sin-addiction and to be made a “slave of righteousness” is a glorious work He alone can do ( Romans 6:1-14).  Having trusted in Jesus for salvation, the believer is set free from sin-dependence, and born again to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4-7).  There is a healthy addiction to which God would then direct us–serving others.

Paul commended the household of Stephanas.  “They have addicted themselves to the ministry,” he said (1 Corinthians 16:15, KJV).  The term “addicted” translates a Greek term that means “to arrange, assign, order.”  The thought here is that they had so ordered their lives that ministry to others came first (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:5).  The term “ministry” is the Greek, “diakonia,” which speaks of service.  It is the same term elsewhere translated “deacon.”  The household of Stephanas was addicted to ministry in the sense that they had prioritized their lives such that the service of others mattered most.  They were given to it.  Their lives were characterized by it.  They were devoted to serving Christ by serving others.

Paul exhorted the Corinthians to “be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors” (1 Corinthians 16:16)  Many in the church in Corinth were walking as “mere men” and behaving in selfish and childish ways (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; 13:11-13).  Paul directed them all to the better example of the household of Stephanas, who were walking in an exemplary fashion (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17).  The church needed to follow their example.

God has called us to a radically different way of thinking and living.  A way of life exemplified in Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served.  Serving others in Jesus’ name is at the heart of worship (Hebrews 13:15-16; 2 Corinthians 9:12); will be rewarded at the judgment seat (2 Corinthians 5:10); and works to bless others in a variety of ways.  Love calls us to serve: “through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13), and when it comes to serving, we don’t need to worry ourselves about becoming addicted; for it is a healthy addiction of which God approves.  And it’s part of what it means to love like Jesus.

Serving Others in Love is a Healthy Addiction of Which God Approves

Lord Jesus.  We were slaves to sin, but then You worked to set us free.  Now we’ve been born again to serve You, and in serving You we find a true purpose.  You are worthy, Lord!  Worthy of our praise and thanksgiving, and worthy of our faithful service.  Forgive us our forgetfulness and negligence.  May the Spirit work in our hearts to kindle afresh the love we had at first.  That love which captivated our being and worked to lead us along to wherever You might send us.  Opportunities for serving You abound, grant us eyes to see and hearts to care and hands ready to do Your bidding–each and every day!  May others see You in us, and look to You as the sole source of all that is good!  In Your Name.  Amen.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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