Acts 20:33-35 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more Blessed to give than to receive.”

 

The mission of the Church is to replicate the Ministry of Jesus. The first Church, of which we read in the Book of Acts, was such a replication and as we study through the Book of Acts we will find many Miracles, Signs, and Wonders among the people.

 

Unfortunately, over the years the Church has drifted far away from the original example given us in the Word of God. Most Churches today are places of business and employment. Money is collected from the congregation and distributed to those who work at the Church. This is a travesty to me and I believe the Word of God proves my feelings about this to be correct.

 

Nowhere in the Book of Acts (or anywhere else in the Bible) do we find Preachers, Teachers, Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, Elders, Bishops, Board Members or any other Minister being paid a salary or hourly wage for their service. Actually, the Word of God speaks directly against the practice of paying people to serve in the Church.

 

Anyone who feels Called to SERVE at the Church should never expect to be paid. Rather, we should rejoice in the fact that the Holy Spirit has Called us to serve in some capacity. Jesus talked on this subject and John recorded His Words. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. (John 10:11-12)

 

When we study the life and ministry of the great Apostle Paul, we find that he worked and supported himself along the way as he Preached the Gospel of Christ and planted Churches. We know that people did support him but he NEVER asked for any compensation and he NEVER expected it. His ministry was as a Servant of the Gospel. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more Blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:33-35)

 

I fully understand that it takes money to operate a ministry. However, I also understand that many people working in the Church today are nothing more than hirelings. Ministry is not a job. It was never meant to be a job. Serving in the Church in whatever capacity is a privilege and an opportunity to be of use to God in the building of His Kingdom.

 

I believe God will provide for those who love Him and serve Him. Jesus said, Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. (Luke 6:38)

 

If you struggle financially, allow me to suggest to you to start giving to the Work of the Lord. God will stand by His Word. He will do what He says He will do. Trust me when I say, the more you give, the more you will have to give. God is faithful and true.

 

Give and watch Him……….turn the tide……….in your life.

 

You cannot out-give God!         Doreen

 

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