Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

The purpose of the Church is to continue the Ministry of Jesus while He was on earth which will automatically increase the Kingdom of God. When people hear the Truth of the Gospel of Christ and believe it, they are Saved and born again. At that point, they become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. This is just the beginning of what God has in store for His children.

 

Peter stepped forward and became the first Preacher in the Church. The others did not form a committee, nominate people for the position and hold an election. The Call was on Peter’s life and he answered that Call. He was passionate about the Church and he wanted to see others come into the fold.

 

Peter was not paid by the others, nor was anyone else. Jesus was never paid for all the Miracles He performed. Nor did Jesus charge people to come and hear Him speak. He did not sell tickets to the 5,000 men and their families He fed lunch to that day on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

 

With these facts in mind, it’s easy to see where the Church today is WAY off track and not in line with the Pattern set forth in the Book of Acts. Unfortunately, in most churches today, it’s all about money. Many people work in paid positions so the majority of the money taken in goes right back out in the form of salaries and benefits packages. In my study, I haven’t seen this in God’s Pattern for His Church. Therefore, I must come to the conclusion that this structure for the Church is man’s pattern and not God’s.

 

People will argue that their work is worth being paid for and I understand that, BUT when we turn the Church into a business, run and operated by employees, we take the emphasis off Ministry and the Kingdom of God. At that point, the Church becomes a for-profit business just like the grocery store down the street. This is NOT God’s Pattern for His Church.

 

Jesus was a Servant. The word Christian means Christ-like. That means we are to be like Christ. He is to be our example. Therefore, we are to be servants not employees. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of Salvation.” (Acts 16:17)

 

If we are truly surrendered to the Call of God on our lives, we will want to serve in the Church and not expect to be paid for what we do. This is the example set forth for us by Jesus and we would be well advised to follow it. Consider these Words of our Lord: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

 

 

 

The example set by Jesus will……….turn the tide……….in the Church.

 

Laying up treasures in Heaven,         Doreen

 

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