The preacher and the nutritionist

A certain servant of God was so dedicated in his evangelistic work that he barely had time to take care of his health; his eating habits were terrible and he did not do any physical exercise.
Despite all his efforts in praying, fasting and evangelizing, he saw few results in his church. New people would come but not stay, and the few members were spiritually weak and full of doubts.
One day, the pastor felt really sick and had to go to the doctor, who advised him to see a nutritionist. Against his wife’s will, he followed the doctor’s advice. Little did he know that that appointment would change his life — both health and ministry —, as on the day of the consultation, the doctor asked him many questions about his eating habits, what he ate and how he ate.
The preacher told him all that he loved to eat: fried foods, high-carb foods, large portions of meat, soda and sandwiches. Then, the doctor told him that he should not eat only what he liked, but what he needed — for he was eating and not being fed —, and prescribed regular physical exercise.
After a few months, the pastor was totally different, much healthier and with a fresh appearance, and his church reflected that change, for the number of people had increased. Those who came stayed, and the members were spiritually strengthened, for the pastor began to apply the advice he had received from the nutritionist: just as he could not eat only what he liked, he could not preach only what he knew or wanted, but what the people of his church needed in order to grow spiritually, encouraging them to practice their faith, as Jesus said, "You give them something to eat" Matthew 14.16.
A preacher speaks what he likes, want and know. A man of God speaks what the people need to hear.