Tag: Provide

Money to Christians

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                People long for financial stability. They seek money in order to pay for what they want or feel they need. Most people begin to develop a financial focus in order to erase debt they have accrued. Having a mind that is focused on money leads to a slippery slope that moves us from a focus on the provision of God and toward our own ability to provide. We forget that even our own ability to provide is a provision of God. It is important that seeking money doesn’t outshine our seeking of God. (Luke 16:15) For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The Christian walk should include avoiding debt. Being in debt to a person or a financial institution allows them to have a control over you that should only belong to our Lord. (Proverbs 22:7) The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. This is why God instructed His people to lend the provision He provided, but to never seek provision from outside sources. (Deuteronomy 28:12) you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. God doesn’t look to see you suffer, He looks for His children to rely on their Heavenly Father. Seeking the things and provisions of this world reduce our eternal view of God’s kingdom. (Revelation 3:17)  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. The true treasures belong to our soul, which is eternal and not of this world. We must strive to remain in reliance on the provision of God which leads us in His light and the path He designed for us before the beginning of time. We must be servants to God’s plan and not the materials that the deceiver uses to make us slaves to earthly institutions. We must maintain our focus on who we desire to serve.  (Matthew 6:24) You cannot serve God and money. A focus on money and wealth is a focus on what we own or who we owe. In reality we own nothing because all things will turn to dust as God reigns in Heaven forever, and it is Him that we owe everything. Allow only the provision of God to lead you, keep you, bless you, and overflow from you!

Minister of God

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2 Corinthians 6:2-10

Working together with him (Christ), then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

God gives us a description of what the ministry of His kingdom will entail.

He uses the word “in” to show the potential conditions that must be endured in the name of Jesus for reconciliation of God’s people to Him.

IN: Afflictions-Hardships-Calamities-Beatings-Imprisonment-Riots-Labors-Sleepless Nights-Hunger

We are to endure these conditions with the power found only in the Holy Spirit and in a way fitting a child of God. He uses the word “by” to show us the way and how we are to minister for His kingdom as we serve as facilitators to show the light of Christ to the world.

BY: Great Endurance-Purity-Knowledge-Patience-Kindness-The Holy Spirit-Genuine Love-Truthful      Speech-The Power of God

Knowing the conditions and the way we are to react to those conditions we see how the world will react. He uses “through” to show opposite ends of the landscape (reactions) that exists during the journey of ministry.

THROUGH: Honor-Dishonor-Slander-Praise

Being a child and minister for God causes a sanctification for you as you grow in the Spirit and bear fruit in your spiritual maturity. As you move toward holiness (become set apart) the world should take notice. As with most things that are different the reactions can be difficult and most likely will be seeing as you represent an opposition to the world, a light in the darkness. This group of verses concludes with a description of the sinful view of this world and the contrasting reality found in God. Although their hardened and sinful hearts will not allow them to see God’s truth. Praise God that He has chosen you to be set apart in service for Him. Become resolute in your position as a minister in God’s kingdom, a source of light to this dark and lost world.

Position in World’s View Position In God’s Light
Imposter True
Unknown Well Known
Dying Alive
Punished Not Killed
Sorrowful Rejoicing
Poor Making Many Rich
Having Nothing Possessing Everything