Terms needing differentiation:
Church = The Global Body of Christ.
church(es) = Local churches and Denominations.
This writing is somewhat of a continuation of a previous post of mine posted on August 3, 2008 entitled “Lack in the Body”.
In “Lack in the Body,” I spoke of Jesus helping us and how we must help others, even if they are in other Denominations, but today I would like to speak of other issues hindering the Church.
I will begin with a Biblical Scripture, one that sheds light on both Believers and Leaders in the Church, who are unsure of how they will be provided for, and strive in their own strength for gain.
Matthew 17 : 24-27:
The Temple Tax
24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"
25 "Yes, he does," he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?"
26 "From others," Peter answered.
"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 27 "But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."
This scripture is about Supernatural provision being made by God for His own.
So why do so many Leaders of churches and ministries worry? Why do they take it upon themselves to continually ask others for financial provisions? All is the Lord's and He gives freely, when we put the Kingdom of God first.
I am a firm believer in the idea of “Where God guides, He provides”.
I know ministries need financial support to keep them operating, but where does the need end and the desire begin?
Leaders, what message are we sending to the masses when we teach of our God, being a God of provision, yet we ourselves are always asking with each message, and at every opportunity, for provisions from others, instead of relying on Christ?
If the provisions for a particular something are not present, then perhaps that something is not supposed to be, or it is the wrong time for it.
Matthew 6 : 19:
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 16 : 13:
13 "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Matthew 26 : 39:
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Jesus fought His flesh of wanting to survive, in favor of the Father's Will and His plan of redemption.
Jesus loved the Father and others (all the people of the world), He desired to do the Father's Will over His fleshes' Will. He gave up what He could see, for what He could not see, exchanging the seen for the unseen.
When Jesus died on the Cross, the foundation was set for the Church, and the Church Age (or Age of Grace) began.
We as the Church are to reach out to the dying and lost souls, throwing them a Lifeline, but the fibers of the rope are rotten and broken. The priorities in many churches and ministries have went wayward, and it is having a Global impact on the Kingdom of God. People are identifying the Church as sellers of hope, instead of givers. The Church today is not seen as telling people the way to Eternal life, but are using the idea as a business plan to build more of a corporate like empire for themselves.
We the Church must repair our fibers and therefore the Lifeline rope we throw to the world, for that is all that matters now, here in the Last Days of the Church.
I remember what my high school football coach used to say, and it can be applied today – W.I.N. (What's Important Now).
When this post was put in my spirit, I was also given a formula that I believe I was to share:
Reform =
What the Lord has given
------------------- Divided By -------------------
Overspending and wrong use
= What the Lord will take away
I can personally testify that God tells Claudette and I how much and to what ministry to give.
Perhaps, if more emphasis was put on Believers living Righteously, and having an intimate relationship with Jesus, instead of pushing for their top priority to be financial funding for ministries, they too would be guided by God to give, removing the need to ask all the time.
...And for the Believers in Christ, why do you worry?
Matthew 6 : 25-34:
Do Not Worry
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus provides for you. Do not feel guilty or oppressed when you are pressured to give and are unable to, because where God guides, He provides, and when He wants us to give, He provides that as well.
Focus on an intimate relationship with Jesus and do not be troubled by the days in which you live.
Just let the Holy Spirit comfort and guide you. Walk close with Jesus, never ceasing!
Blessings,
Christopher Moss