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.