#Money & #Ministry... And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this[money]?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:20-21 NKJV) Many has corrupted the word of God for their selfish and carnal profit in the name of running the ministry/church of God. They collect tithes and offerings, sell the free words and songs of God, and many other things they do for the work of ministry they claimed is supporting the work/kingdom of God. Jesus has shown us how His church or ministry which is the work of God must be run. • Call it church, ministry or kingdom of God; Jesus has shown us how it must be done. He Himself did it and also say, ...and on this Rock[Myself - Matt 16:16. 1Cor 11:4] I will build My church... (Matt 16:18). > Hes not relegated the building of His church to any man dead or alive. He is alive and building His church. What He gave us authority to do is reconciliation and edification; reconciling the world back to God through the preaching of the gospel, and edifying the brethren through teaching them all things He commanded us. He is with us always building His church (Read Matt 28:18-20. 2Cor 5:17-21). • After instructing the people not to labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” (John 6:27 NKJV) Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” (John 6:28 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:29 NKJV) > He did not say to do the work of God is to build temples or synagogues/churches, or financial support but to believe in Him, for in Him alone God is pleased - Matt 17:5. Church is run by faith, ministry is run by faith and the kingdom of God is run by faith; faith is taking God at His word, which Jesus Christ is and whatever is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Thats why building and ministering as many are doing today in His name is considered sin; they are not doing what the Father commanded but running churches and ministries as its under the old covenant in His name; Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV) • Its work of iniquity to build another temple of God outside Jerusalem, collect or pay tithes and offerings outside the Levitical priesthood. Jesus did not do that nor does He required such from us because we are new creation and we have an altar [spiritual], whereof they[old covenant people] have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. (Hebrews 13:10 KJV) > Many today, like Peter on the mount of transfiguration, still want to build tabernacle for Jesus - Matt 17:1-8, while He has made us His body on earth the temple of God. It may seem good to build tabernacle for Jesus but thats not Gods will for us today; His will for us today is that we might become the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelling in us (1Cor 3:16). • Money & Ministry: Jesus says, You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24 NLT); Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! (Acts 3:6; 8:20 NKJV); and Paul said, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness...For a bishop must be...as a steward of God...not greedy for money, (1Tim 6:10. Tit 1:7 NKJV). > As the state must be separated from the church of Jesus, likewise money must be separated from the work of God. God dose not make money neither is His work required money to be done. Gods work requires faith; But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) • Dont get me wrong, money is important to live in this world but in the kingdom of God its not that important. Jesus says, Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Money doesnt belong to God but to man. Its man that made money, not God but God has power over money. You can see how God have power over money when Jesus was asked to pay temple tax with money in Matt 17:24-27. If God need money He can command even a fish to vomit it without burdening His people. > Today many ministers are burdening Gods people with their demands for money claiming it is for the support of the kingdom of God, and many like slaves has bought that worldly idea as the way ministry must be run; For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ...Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours (I Corinthians 3:11, 18-21 NKJV). • Some will get upset anytime they hear such message as this and ask, how can the churches pay their bills without collecting tithes and offerings or selling books? Well the question is, who asked you to build or purchase those things you must collect tithes and offered or sell books to pay for? Tithes and offerings were never for the work of God but for the poor[priests, levites and people]. For MOSES and Solomon to build, God instructed them on the pattern and how it must be built. Also God in Jesus under the new covenant has shown us how His church and our ministry must be run. + His church is not a physical building that men can build, but a spiritual building the Lord Himself is building; For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building...you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1Cor 3:9. 1Pet 2:5 NKJV) + The ministry we have received of God is not also run as any institution or organization of the world; There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all...But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (I Corinthians 12:5-7,11 NKJV) • The wisdom of men limits the power of God to work among Gods people [Mk 7:1-13], mans way of running things is not Gods way of running His ministry; For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8 NKJV) > Running the church/ministry as every other institution of the world that requires money, has caused the manifestations of Gods gift to cease in churches. All we have his secularly educated and bible school trained eloquent ministers running the so called churches. But the true church/ministry is not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that peoples faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1Cor 2:4-5). • We cannot serve God and money. Where money is served, Gods power is absent; but where God is served by faith as Jesus instructed, His power is present to heal; Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching...the power of the Lord was present to heal them. (Luke 5:17 NKJV) > The early church, unlike the most so called present churches today, continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (Acts 2:42-43 NKJV) • Some will argue saying, without money to buy a ministry van or jet, how can a minister go places to preach the gospel? Such idea may sound good but its not Gods way of doing ministry. When Jesus sent His disciples without money, they lacked nothing - Lk 22:35. And when Evangelist Philip needed to go where God sent him, without a boat or ship, Luke said; the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so...Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:39-40 NKJV) > If God need you to be any part of the world, He will take you there in His own way. But today we have been brainwashed by the religion of Christianity that we limit the power of God with the wisdom of men. Ministry has become means of livelihood and making money instead of serving the Lord by faith through the help of the Holy Ghost; But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses...to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV) • We need to wake up, come out from man built church/ministry and start walking by faith, not by sight; For we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God is pleading through us: we implore people on Christ’s behalf, to be reconciled to God. And we should use our spiritual gifts[ministries] for edification and exhortation and comfort to men in the churches. (1Cor 14:3. 2Cor 5:7, 20) > If you need money for your ministry, go and work [Acts 20:33-35] or believe God will touch people you ministered to to give you food [Matt 10:10]. Do not incur bills nor burden Gods people financially. • God doesnt need your money but you. Jesus says, Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Money is Caesars but you are Gods; so give yourself to God, for Him to work in and through you. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV) > Peter did not have money like many ministers today, but he had the name of Jesus and healed a man born crippled which none of those ministers that has money can do. The name of Jesus is needed in the church/ministry, not money - Mk 16:15-18,20. When we go in His name and preach, He will confirm the word we preached with signs following and those with money will minister to us cheerfully - 2Cor 9:7-15. • It will be hard, but not impossible, to convince those in love with church/ministry for selfish gain; But the true ministers of the gospel of Christ will keep speaking the truth until it prevails in the hearts of those that love the truth - Acts 19:20. Jesus says, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 NKJV) > Remember Mary & Martha in Lk 10:38-42. One thing is needed, its not money but the word! + I am bought at a price and made free from being slave of men. I stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made me free, and I refuse to be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. I pray you join me in this liberty today in Jesus Name! Amen! (1Cor 7:23. Gal 5:1) MARANATHA!
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:01:49 +0000
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