What are some rewards and hardships of full-time service?

        The rewards are many: the satisfaction of honoring and representing Christ; the immense privilege of preaching the gospel; the joy of seeing others be saved and grow in grace; the privilege of helping believers overcome personal problems; camaraderie with other full-timers; and helping to equip and mobilize the body of Christ are just a few. Full-timers learn to rely on God as few others do. Incidental benefits sometimes include travel, learning new languages and cultures, and having many new experiences. But there are significant difficulties too: low financial income; long working hours; the burden of knowing of many personal and spiritual problems among believers; dealing with difficult people, including church leaders. Full-timers can become "spiritually burned-out" if they carry heavy burdens and come under spiritual attack.
    Most full-timers who have been in the ministry for a long time would agree that the benefits far outweigh the difficulties. Christ promises special eternal rewards to those who serve well in His service (1 Peter 5:4).