A HEALTHY ADDICTION

July 27

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 16

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

According to Webster’s Dictionary to be addicted is “to devote or surrender oneself to something habitually or obsessively.” There are a lot of different kinds of addictions—alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, video games, etc. Some people are even addicted to shopping. Oniomania is the technical name given to that disorder.

We are prone, by nature, to addictive behaviors. “The desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (1 John 2:16) demand satisfaction.  The pleasure experienced in sin is short-lived (Hebrews 11:25), and never fully satisfying.  Sin thereby works to enslave us: “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Jesus died on the cross to set us free from both the penalty and power of sin.  We are, by nature, selfish-sinners, salvation works to free us to worship and serve. 

Paul commended the household of Stephanas. “They have addicted themselves to the ministry,” he said. The term “addicted” translates a Greek term means “to arrange, assign, order.” They had so ordered their lives that ministry 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 came first. They were given to it. Their lives were characterized by it. They were devoted to serving Jesus by serving others.

Jesus was addicted to ministry.  He served—humbly, wholeheartedly, relentlessly.  Any day in the life of Jesus was a day in which He served.  He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, raised the dead, fed the multitudes, and did more miracles than it was possible to record (John 21:25).  His disciples sometimes argued amongst themselves as to who was the greatest (Luke 22:24).  On one occasion, two of His disciples came forward to request that they might sit and His right and His left in His glory (Mark 10:35-37).  The situation caused some friction amongst the disciples.  Jesus called them all together and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.  But it shall not be so among you.  But whoever would be first among you must be your servant.  And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:42-45).  The world doesn’t think much of servanthood, but God does.  In His economy, greatness is defined in such terms.  Man naturally gravitates to a “looking out for number one” way of living, but Jesus walked in a revolutionary manner.  By His sacrifice He served us all in preeminent fashion.  He calls us to serve others according to His example (Philippians 2:3-8; Galatians 5:13).

Paul exhorted the Corinthians to “be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer” (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 to subject themselves to those who showed a capacity to serve, like those of the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17). The church of our day (in America) is characterized by a selfish brand of Christianity that bears too little resemblance to its Biblical counterpart.  Servanthood—as a virtue—has fallen on hard times amongst some who profess Christ. But there are still many who walk in same the manner that Christ has established (1 John 2:6)—let’s be careful to look to their example.

Jesus was addicted to serving.  He calls us to follow in His steps.  Serving Jesus by serving others is at the heart of worship (Hebrews 13:15-16; 2 Corinthians 9:12).  It is a healthy addiction for which no cure is necessary, for it meets with God’s approval.

An addiction to serving Jesus is a healthy addiction for which no cure is needed.

Give me a faithful heart—
Likeness to Thee,
That each departing day
Henceforth may see
Some work of love begun,
Some deed of kindness done,
Some wand’rer sought and won,
Something for Thee.

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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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