I feel a burden for many Churches and Ministers around the world. Many are in some of the poorest regions on Earth. Many brothers and sisters in Christ are very poor and lack the monetary funds to support the Pastor or the Church. This is why I have been inspired to write this message. The rich Christian Churches have ignored the poor, which will receive the greater blessings from God?
A ministers duty to God and the Church is a simple one. He must take care of the Flock and Preach the Word of God. A pastor is not responsible for the up keep on the Church Building, but rather the Spiritual Leader of the Church. A pastor is not a Deacon, Elder nor Trustee. Many ministers of the Gospel have become involved with the day by day operation of their buildings and this is not what God requires them to do, but rather constantly, Learn, Pray, Teach and Minister the Gospel. This is proven in these next few verses.; Acts 6:2-4; Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Here is the lesson for the Church. Rom 15:27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. Weather a man is poor or rich doesn't matter to God and neither should it matter to the Ministers of the Gospel. For there is no difference between them. This verse speaks of two things, Carnal things and Spiritual things. Giving to others and them being partakers of their spiritual things, are also obligated to minister also into the carnal things, weather they be minister or church member. We are gentiles all, who were not born from the House of Israel. 1Co 9:11-12; If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. We as Ministers of God do not force anyone to give into the ministry but rather an offering must be brought willingly and accordance to the will of God per individual. The poor, using our common sense, cannot give the same as the rich. The poor may offer a penny, a nickel, a piece of Fruit, a glass of water or a meal to the minister. This type of giving is as, justified, as the rich one giving thousands.
Each offering, no matter how great or small will be rewarded above that which is given, in a manner and time decided by God. Why are many churches building on, instead of building up, how much is necessary in the church coffers, or how large must a church building be, before carnal funds are distributed to the poor churches, so they can expand their ministry's? Are we not all working on the same mission, to bring the lost to Christ? Are we not to be involved in spreading the Gospel further each day?
Are we not but just servants to a greater power?
To those that give of a free heart, a promise is given from God to each individual, remember that God does not need your money, He wants your Trust and Faith in Him. God is our Source and Supply. If our offerings do not show a furtherance in the propagation in the Gospel, we may want to consider praying to God and inquire where He desires your offering to Go. We do not build great kingdoms upon this earth for all shall pass away. Lets read Mal 3:10-11; Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer(Satan) for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
The amount or type of offering does not hinder your blessing from God. Many remain poor because the devourer(Satan), has had control of their finances for so many years, it is hard to break this cycle. Only God can rebuke him and release your blessings.
For the rich it is this matter; 2Co 9:6-11; But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
For the poor it is this matter; 2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
For the rich and poor it is this matter; 2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
In 2nd Co 9:9-11, we see a lesson that many have forgotten and many need to apply in their giving, lets read; (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
2Co 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. Many have taken advantage of the 10% rule and have become rich, they use this rule to become a dictator instead of a minister. Many use these funds to direct all toward their own ideas of prosperous ministry. Many have entered the ministry, not to fulfill the calling of God but rather to make a living and to become rich off the offerings of the poor. Have many reverted to the state of the Scribes, Sadducee's and Pharisees?
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Remember this verse and take it to heart; Mat 23:17, Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Our mission; Mat 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
We cannot eradicate poverty no matter how much we give but we can still make a difference in one ministers life or the life of just one church. Mat 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
What ever you give give with an open heart not asking anything in return, for within a cheerful giver is the Love of God.
I will leave you with this last thought;
Mar 12:42-44; And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. 1Co 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. Mar 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/
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