Matthew 7:6
Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.
When I was a child, feeding animals from the table was something that most people just didn’t do. It was considered to be unsanitary and unclean. Besides, once you feed a dog from the table, they will sit at your feet and beg. You’ll never have a peaceful meal again. Not only that, but a dog will never appreciate the efforts put into a good home-cooked meal. To the normal pooch, meat is meat. Drink is drink.
In the spirit realm, many of us are suffering heightened levels of frustration because we’ve forgotten the words that Jesus spoke. He instructed us not to case our pearls before dogs and swine. What did He mean by that?
Of course, the people were not actually giving pearls to dogs and pigs. Jesus’ instruction was allegorical, meaning that we should not sew our treasures into those that are not appreciative.
In the Body of Christ, those of us who minister the Gospel struggle with this concept on a daily basis. In our zeal to do the work of the Lord, it’s not uncommon for us to attempt to minister to everyone, pray for everyone and bless everybody. Then, we are tired and frustrated because many take advantage of the work.
People of God, examine your table today. Who are you feeding from the table that God has spread for you? Are you dining with like-minded people who can relate to the work of the ministry? Do your dinner guests know how to live holy and use seasoned speech? Or are you just sharing your meal with the house pets… those who are present and benefit, but make no contribution to the household, have no respect for the anointing and refuse to live according to the Word of God?
Think about it… Have you ever had someone who despised the gift of God within you? They refuse to live right before God and completely discredit your advice when you share the word of the Lord with them. Yet, every time they need a breakthrough… real deliverance, they call you? Then, what happens? Of course, you get upset. You feel used, despised and taken advantage of.
We must not get discouraged when people don’t respect the gifts and callings that are on our lives. Too many of us are trying to “convince” those that are not mature in God of who we are. Why? Did not Jesus instruct us to carry the Gospel and shake the dust off our feet when the Word of God is refused (Matthew 10:14).
Stop putting so much effort into pleasing those that do not desire a relationship with God. Refrain from sowing into those that don’t respect your anointing. Certainly, we are to pray and love one another. However, God does not expect us to continue sowing our revelation into those that will not obey Him.
Be careful who you share your revelation with. It was feeding dogs at the table that caused Joseph to be hated of his brothers and Daniel to be despised by his colleagues. Not everyone is able or willing to accept and appreciate what God is doing in and through you! Selah.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, June 03, 2010
It Takes Money to do Ministry
This is a prophetic message dealing with a very natural subject – money as it relates to ministry.
“It takes money to do ministry.” We’ve all heard and said this exact phrase. In order to do the work of the Lord, money is required. It takes money to travel. Running the church requires money. Funds are needed to pay the bills.
God has really been dealing with me about this mentality, as it has become a stronghold in the Body of Christ. It is true that money is required to operate within certain aspects of organized ministry, but it is NOT required to simply obey God...to step out on faith. He always gives provision for the vision! The money will come just as the obedience is manifested – by faith!
Oftentimes, money becomes an excuse for us. Rather than stepping out on faith, we put money in the place of God. It becomes an idol, because we will disobey the word of the Father if it does not agree.
Let’s just talk about me for a moment…
Recently, I canceled a ministry assignment because I didn’t have the funds for travel and there were some problems with my vehicle that were already going to cause a large amount of debt. Though God clearly told me to go, I felt that my means were not in place. Well, was I disobedient or responsible? Initially, I thought I was being responsible, until God rebuked me.
God knows our necessities before He makes the assignment. Religion has taught us that certain things must be in place before ministry can go forth. Well, those teachings are not always true. Look at the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His disciples. Did they not leave the things they owned? They didn’t work to gather a means for ministry, but left their natural means FOR the work of the ministry.
I was reminded of the days of old, when neighborhoods banded together to ensure all were fed and everyone’s child was raised correctly. When one neighbor needed butter or ice, they didn’t go to the rich neighborhood to find those who had an abundance. No. They, being poor, went to another poor neighbor, right next door, who gave of what they had.
Throughout history, the poor are those who have been most giving, and it worked! I’m not saying that we must be poor or that being poor makes us more generous. What I am saying is that money, or the lack thereof, is no excuse not to help. It’s no excuse not to move. It’s no excuse not to speak the word or comfort the hurting. It’s no excuse not to give of what God has supplied in you. It is no excuse to do nothing!
In this season, money is used as an excuse for so many things, and as a result, the Church is stagnant. Even with an abundance of funds, we are stifled by budgets and boards. When will it stop? As God supplies, we must go forth. We cannot allow the lack of money to convince us not to go, just as we cannot allow the abundance of money to convince us that we are called, in and of itself. One extreme is just as ludicrous as the other.
We may not have all we want to go, but we certainly have all we need.
As I write this post, I know there are some God has called forth, but it doesn’t seem the funds are available. I’ve been there, but God has provided. He has, He can and He will. Just obey!
The lack of money is no excuse for disobedience. You may not see what you need, but certainly God has it. He will never assign us to complete a work that is above and beyond His capability through us. “…he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Luke 9:2-4
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
1 Corinthians 9:14
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
“It takes money to do ministry.” We’ve all heard and said this exact phrase. In order to do the work of the Lord, money is required. It takes money to travel. Running the church requires money. Funds are needed to pay the bills.
God has really been dealing with me about this mentality, as it has become a stronghold in the Body of Christ. It is true that money is required to operate within certain aspects of organized ministry, but it is NOT required to simply obey God...to step out on faith. He always gives provision for the vision! The money will come just as the obedience is manifested – by faith!
Oftentimes, money becomes an excuse for us. Rather than stepping out on faith, we put money in the place of God. It becomes an idol, because we will disobey the word of the Father if it does not agree.
Let’s just talk about me for a moment…
Recently, I canceled a ministry assignment because I didn’t have the funds for travel and there were some problems with my vehicle that were already going to cause a large amount of debt. Though God clearly told me to go, I felt that my means were not in place. Well, was I disobedient or responsible? Initially, I thought I was being responsible, until God rebuked me.
God knows our necessities before He makes the assignment. Religion has taught us that certain things must be in place before ministry can go forth. Well, those teachings are not always true. Look at the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His disciples. Did they not leave the things they owned? They didn’t work to gather a means for ministry, but left their natural means FOR the work of the ministry.
I was reminded of the days of old, when neighborhoods banded together to ensure all were fed and everyone’s child was raised correctly. When one neighbor needed butter or ice, they didn’t go to the rich neighborhood to find those who had an abundance. No. They, being poor, went to another poor neighbor, right next door, who gave of what they had.
Throughout history, the poor are those who have been most giving, and it worked! I’m not saying that we must be poor or that being poor makes us more generous. What I am saying is that money, or the lack thereof, is no excuse not to help. It’s no excuse not to move. It’s no excuse not to speak the word or comfort the hurting. It’s no excuse not to give of what God has supplied in you. It is no excuse to do nothing!
In this season, money is used as an excuse for so many things, and as a result, the Church is stagnant. Even with an abundance of funds, we are stifled by budgets and boards. When will it stop? As God supplies, we must go forth. We cannot allow the lack of money to convince us not to go, just as we cannot allow the abundance of money to convince us that we are called, in and of itself. One extreme is just as ludicrous as the other.
We may not have all we want to go, but we certainly have all we need.
As I write this post, I know there are some God has called forth, but it doesn’t seem the funds are available. I’ve been there, but God has provided. He has, He can and He will. Just obey!
The lack of money is no excuse for disobedience. You may not see what you need, but certainly God has it. He will never assign us to complete a work that is above and beyond His capability through us. “…he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Luke 9:2-4
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
1 Corinthians 9:14
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
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