God"s Ministers - Our Responsibility
I'm running with a very "different" crowd of friends these days...
and it's changing my life.
Some of my new friends have no homes.
Some of them have no transportation.
Others are taking in widows and orphans with no clue as to how their needs will be met...
but they invite them in anyway.
Some of them are in third world nations while others are living out of RV's and cars packed full of everything they can carry, criss-crossing the good ol' USA.
Some live this way every day because it's the best their government will allow them.
Others live this way by choice and are traveling with the bare minimum out of necessity.
Some are so accustomed to doing without that, when given the chance to request a blessing, their response is, "God is my Provider.
" One might humbly ask for a shirt.
Others are "forced" to ask for money because they've just spent hundreds of dollars on gasoline and were "blessed" with a mere $50 love offering after they spoke.
As for me, I'm helping in very way I can.
I know it isn't much but little IS much in the hands of God.
I send eMail messages and make phone calls.
My wife, Barbara, and I - inspired by the example of others - now open our home for these traveling ministers as they pass through.
We've dedicated our home to the Kingdom and that's what we're feeling led to do.
I mentor others by eMail, website and telephone as well.
I mention that because it's not only money these people need.
In some cases, however, it's all we can do for them from so far away.
CIRCUIT PREACHERS TODAY It seems a shame to me that a minister should have to pass the plate after he preaches and hope that his brothers and sisters will give him enough money to fix their car's air conditioner as they travel through America's desert Southwest (there's a traveling family staying in our home right now in this exact situation; last winter, a couple had trouble with their heater as they parked in a WalMart parking lot, cranking the engine all night long to stay warm).
I don't recall the apostle Paul ever requesting finances for himself - even though he gave his stamp of approval for a person to make their living off the Gospel.
I could never understand why a man wouldn't make his needs known to his Church and expect to be "sent out" (the word "apostle" actually means "sent one").
Better yet, The Church should simply KNOW that these people would have needs and sow into their lives accordingly.
SOW SPARINGLY, REAP SPARINGLY.
So, what is OUR responsibility toward those who have laid it all down" for the cause of Christ? What are we supposed to do as part of The Body of Christ? Whether it's a new set of tires, assistance in feeding a man's family, Bibles or funds to provide for an orphanage in a war-torn country, or a motorbike to increase a minister's efficiency as he tends to the needs of people 15 miles around on hilly terrain, what role are we supposed to play? My contention is that, once a minister makes his needs known, or once a need is perceived by those who are listening to the Holy Spirit, someone needs to write a check.
Simple enough? It's not our money anyway.
I often hear the excuse, "Yes, Michael, but aren't we supposed to be good stewards of what God gives us? What if he's a scam artist?" Such cynical comments are inspired of the devil! I find it amazing how we can spend an average of $80 each time we take a trip to the mall, "stewarding" God's money in the most wasteful manner, yet arriving at all kinds of clever, even spiritual-sounding excuses where advancing the cause of Christ is concerned.
Some of these traveling ministers are being forced OUT of the ministry and into getting secular jobs simply because The Church has failed to support the ministries God has given them.
Ministry in one's workplace can be a very good thing - and these ministers WILL take advantage of every opportunity - but 'good' is the enemy of 'best.
' THE WHEAT AND THE TARES Sure, there are hucksters and scammers and charlatans in every field.
Always will be.
We've got to take the good along with the bad.
Once again, whose job is it to whip out the Flesh-O-Meter and determine who is carnally-minded and who is being led by the Spirit? Will we use that same Flesh-O-Meter on ourselves? How about using it on the preacher at our own Church? The choir? How about those who toss a bit of money in the offering plate - are they giving in the flesh or by the Spirit? What we do with God's money is between us and God.
What the receiver does with God's money is between HIM and God.
Whether they buy a bottle of booze or a bottle of formula to feed an orphan, it's not our concern.
Many who have given to some of the most high-profile, polished ministries in America were ripped-off.
How do we know that our favorite preacher isn't a closet drunk, a porn addict or a gambling addict? We don't.
God does and He is well able to deal with His misbehaving kids.
The book of 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "Man looks at the outside but God looks at the heart.
" God is so much more concerned with our character than our comfort.
His goal is to conform us to the image of His Son.
We who live life in these earth suits tend to judge everything according to our five senses.
That's why we are to walk by faith and not by sight; we are so easily deceived by that which sparkles.
A baby will more readily play with a few shining dimes than a crumpled old $100 bill.
OWNING UP AND GROWING UP It's time we, The Church, recognize the error of our ways and repent.
It's time to grow up where our giving is concerned.
We can waste our money buying playground equipment, paving church parking lots and buying gargoyles for the cathedral, or we can follow the admonition of 3 John 5-8 (AMP) which says, "Beloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the [Christian] brethren, and [especially when they are] strangers.
They have testified before the church of your love and friendship.
You will do well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way worthy of God's [service].
For these [traveling missionaries] have gone out for the Name's sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites).
So we ourselves ought to support such people [to welcome and provide for them], in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers.
" Read that again.
Must so many toiling ministers always come with their hat in their hand? Should a man of God be so concerned with buying food for his children while he's trying to minister to others? Are we, The Body of Christ, able to obey the Head - Jesus Himself - and simply respond when they make their needs known? HINT: They have MANY needs.
Rather than wait for them to ask, are we able to simply glance at their itinerary, or their list of needs, and send them money they need? Friends, it's time that we matured where our giving to the work of The Church is concerned.
We've all been impacted by the shyster-ministers and are fed-up with money-grubbing televangelists.
But we mustn't let the few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.
That's exactly what Satan intended.
Too many of us have fallen for his deceptive scheme and are, instead, sowing God's money into buying all kinds of other things that moths and rust will destroy while we, at best, toss a few bucks in the direction of God's Kingdom.
If YOU would be interested in helping some truly committed, downright awe- inspiring people as their needs arise, send me an eMail with the word "CASH" in the SUBJECT Bar and I'll keep you posted when needs arise.
In each case, these will be people with whom either myself or a friend in ministry have a relationship on some level.
That should put many minds at ease.
Thank you in advance for giving to the Lord.
That's exactly Who you're giving TO.
I like this translation from The Message, Matthew 25:37-40: "'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me.
'"
and it's changing my life.
Some of my new friends have no homes.
Some of them have no transportation.
Others are taking in widows and orphans with no clue as to how their needs will be met...
but they invite them in anyway.
Some of them are in third world nations while others are living out of RV's and cars packed full of everything they can carry, criss-crossing the good ol' USA.
Some live this way every day because it's the best their government will allow them.
Others live this way by choice and are traveling with the bare minimum out of necessity.
Some are so accustomed to doing without that, when given the chance to request a blessing, their response is, "God is my Provider.
" One might humbly ask for a shirt.
Others are "forced" to ask for money because they've just spent hundreds of dollars on gasoline and were "blessed" with a mere $50 love offering after they spoke.
As for me, I'm helping in very way I can.
I know it isn't much but little IS much in the hands of God.
I send eMail messages and make phone calls.
My wife, Barbara, and I - inspired by the example of others - now open our home for these traveling ministers as they pass through.
We've dedicated our home to the Kingdom and that's what we're feeling led to do.
I mentor others by eMail, website and telephone as well.
I mention that because it's not only money these people need.
In some cases, however, it's all we can do for them from so far away.
CIRCUIT PREACHERS TODAY It seems a shame to me that a minister should have to pass the plate after he preaches and hope that his brothers and sisters will give him enough money to fix their car's air conditioner as they travel through America's desert Southwest (there's a traveling family staying in our home right now in this exact situation; last winter, a couple had trouble with their heater as they parked in a WalMart parking lot, cranking the engine all night long to stay warm).
I don't recall the apostle Paul ever requesting finances for himself - even though he gave his stamp of approval for a person to make their living off the Gospel.
I could never understand why a man wouldn't make his needs known to his Church and expect to be "sent out" (the word "apostle" actually means "sent one").
Better yet, The Church should simply KNOW that these people would have needs and sow into their lives accordingly.
SOW SPARINGLY, REAP SPARINGLY.
So, what is OUR responsibility toward those who have laid it all down" for the cause of Christ? What are we supposed to do as part of The Body of Christ? Whether it's a new set of tires, assistance in feeding a man's family, Bibles or funds to provide for an orphanage in a war-torn country, or a motorbike to increase a minister's efficiency as he tends to the needs of people 15 miles around on hilly terrain, what role are we supposed to play? My contention is that, once a minister makes his needs known, or once a need is perceived by those who are listening to the Holy Spirit, someone needs to write a check.
Simple enough? It's not our money anyway.
I often hear the excuse, "Yes, Michael, but aren't we supposed to be good stewards of what God gives us? What if he's a scam artist?" Such cynical comments are inspired of the devil! I find it amazing how we can spend an average of $80 each time we take a trip to the mall, "stewarding" God's money in the most wasteful manner, yet arriving at all kinds of clever, even spiritual-sounding excuses where advancing the cause of Christ is concerned.
Some of these traveling ministers are being forced OUT of the ministry and into getting secular jobs simply because The Church has failed to support the ministries God has given them.
Ministry in one's workplace can be a very good thing - and these ministers WILL take advantage of every opportunity - but 'good' is the enemy of 'best.
' THE WHEAT AND THE TARES Sure, there are hucksters and scammers and charlatans in every field.
Always will be.
We've got to take the good along with the bad.
Once again, whose job is it to whip out the Flesh-O-Meter and determine who is carnally-minded and who is being led by the Spirit? Will we use that same Flesh-O-Meter on ourselves? How about using it on the preacher at our own Church? The choir? How about those who toss a bit of money in the offering plate - are they giving in the flesh or by the Spirit? What we do with God's money is between us and God.
What the receiver does with God's money is between HIM and God.
Whether they buy a bottle of booze or a bottle of formula to feed an orphan, it's not our concern.
Many who have given to some of the most high-profile, polished ministries in America were ripped-off.
How do we know that our favorite preacher isn't a closet drunk, a porn addict or a gambling addict? We don't.
God does and He is well able to deal with His misbehaving kids.
The book of 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "Man looks at the outside but God looks at the heart.
" God is so much more concerned with our character than our comfort.
His goal is to conform us to the image of His Son.
We who live life in these earth suits tend to judge everything according to our five senses.
That's why we are to walk by faith and not by sight; we are so easily deceived by that which sparkles.
A baby will more readily play with a few shining dimes than a crumpled old $100 bill.
OWNING UP AND GROWING UP It's time we, The Church, recognize the error of our ways and repent.
It's time to grow up where our giving is concerned.
We can waste our money buying playground equipment, paving church parking lots and buying gargoyles for the cathedral, or we can follow the admonition of 3 John 5-8 (AMP) which says, "Beloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the [Christian] brethren, and [especially when they are] strangers.
They have testified before the church of your love and friendship.
You will do well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way worthy of God's [service].
For these [traveling missionaries] have gone out for the Name's sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites).
So we ourselves ought to support such people [to welcome and provide for them], in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers.
" Read that again.
Must so many toiling ministers always come with their hat in their hand? Should a man of God be so concerned with buying food for his children while he's trying to minister to others? Are we, The Body of Christ, able to obey the Head - Jesus Himself - and simply respond when they make their needs known? HINT: They have MANY needs.
Rather than wait for them to ask, are we able to simply glance at their itinerary, or their list of needs, and send them money they need? Friends, it's time that we matured where our giving to the work of The Church is concerned.
We've all been impacted by the shyster-ministers and are fed-up with money-grubbing televangelists.
But we mustn't let the few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.
That's exactly what Satan intended.
Too many of us have fallen for his deceptive scheme and are, instead, sowing God's money into buying all kinds of other things that moths and rust will destroy while we, at best, toss a few bucks in the direction of God's Kingdom.
If YOU would be interested in helping some truly committed, downright awe- inspiring people as their needs arise, send me an eMail with the word "CASH" in the SUBJECT Bar and I'll keep you posted when needs arise.
In each case, these will be people with whom either myself or a friend in ministry have a relationship on some level.
That should put many minds at ease.
Thank you in advance for giving to the Lord.
That's exactly Who you're giving TO.
I like this translation from The Message, Matthew 25:37-40: "'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me.
'"
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