Someone Pays..

Mammon or the love of money is a real issue in the Church. Many elders and pastors are manipulated by the treasury rather than the Trinity. But the response from people who declare, "I won't love money or earn any!" This notion that you can avoid money is quite naïve. One way or another, the debts have to be paid. Those who make vows of poverty really are saying, "I'm not going to pay my way, I won't earn money, but I of course expect to be fed, clothed, and sheltered which all requires money."

Now hear me out. I am not saying love money or make it your focus. But we are deceiving ourselves if we think we can avoid money. The reality is, no matter how remote you live, even if you have self sustaining farm to feed yourself; it takes money for seed and to build that garden or crop. At some point you will need to use currency. Those who declare, "money is the root of all evil," misquote. The Bible verse actually says, "the love of money is the root of all evil." (1 Timothy 6:10). The point is not to serve money or Mammon, but that doesn't mean we can't use money.

Jesus Christ himself was poor and lived on charity and generosity of others. I think He didn't want to focus on collecting funds for His ministry, but trusted His Father to provide, which He did through the Women of Galilee (wealthy women) and Judas Iscariot was the Treasurer (though he stole money from it). Our Lord said, "you can only serve one of two masters, you can serve God or Mammon (money)." (Matthew 6:24). Jesus is talking about where your heart is, whom you serve. A devout Christian can use money and even earn it, but they don't live for it, trust in it, make it their whole purpose, or connive to get more. A true believer trusts the Lord, and is a good steward of their money, but should they lose all their money, they won't jump out of a window, but find solace in the Word of God (Jesus Christ).

It takes money for me to run this blog. Bills for electricity, internet connection and providers must be paid or else I can't do this. Yes I could go to a coffee shop and use free wi-fi, but loitering there would not be allowed and if I never get cup of coffee, I probably would be told to leave and besides it wouldn't be integrity to loiter. So you see, money is helping me share the Message. I think that's the point, you can either use money to serve yourself, your desires, and ambitions, or you can make money serve the Messiah for His means, ministries, and management. It is because Google and its executives, programmers, and blogger techs put this service called Blogger together with their money, that you can read what I say. We shouldn't take lightly what others do for us. I am thankful to Google and those involved in running Blogger. They have given me the medium and means to share and I am grateful.

There are many unsung heroes, people who keep our homes, apartments, hotels, and place of residence running. These people make it possible for us to spread the Gospel and fellowship. I feel convicted about slamming what are called the "kings" of the kingdom. Often people fall into two groups" Kings and Priests. The Kings are the ones who work hard, earn money to help the Priests live and have means to speak, but the Kings benefit because they get assistance spiritually, emotionally, and in caregiving from the Priests. Priests shouldn't demean Kings and Kings shouldn't demean Priests.

In the end someone pays the bill. You can be self righteous and say, "I am free, I owe no one and no one owes me!" But in truth if you choose the route of not working hard to earn a living and want to live on charity and generosity, you are living on someone else hard earned cash. Now you shouldn't feel guilty, those persons or person may be lovingly giving to your ministry and cause; but don't take for granted that they have to go to cubical, construction site, or other place of work so you don't have to worry about the necessities and can focus on the eternal things. Be thankful unto the Lord and thankful to those who give to you with love and not out of obligation.

I am not trying to get anyone focused on money, I am just saying we should honor the fact that the bill, debt, and loans gets paid somehow. Yes God does do miracles and money from strangers comes or a debt is settled out of the blue or even a hidden chest of gold is found. But as Body of Christ we are called to care for one another as family, that includes paying for food, a place to stay dry, and etc. Don't take for granted that if God called you to be priest or pastor, that someone else has to be king and thus gives you the opportunity to do your thing for the Lord. But kings must also realize that they were made kings and they have natural desire to want to earn their keep and the keep of others. So its not that they are these heavy burdened slaves, but being responsible fiscally is hard work in of itself, and we should thank the Lord for those who do so and give their first fruits and free gifts to those in ministry and in need.

The Apostle Paul said, "I do not take money for the Gospel.." (1 Corinthians 9:12,14,15,18). Paul was a tent maker (Act 18:2-3) and so earned money to pay his way. So you can be a king and priest, but its harder to strike the balance. Those priests who don't earn money shouldn't feel guilty, for the Apostles and Believers took the earnings of all who sold their homes and belongs to create a community and housing for those in need. (see Acts 4:34-35). Although the Apostle Peter and Andrew were fisherman, Matthew was Tax collector (Matthew 9:9), and so forth. So the Apostles knew trades. Even Jesus before His ministry was Carpenter (Teckton or Tacton, which meant he did stone masonry, carpentry, and other jobs of the kind; see Mark 6:3). In the end you must decide, are you a king? Are you Priest? Or as you a Priestly King?

I want to be clear I am not saying make money your god. Do not let it be your focus, but rather Jesus Christ. For the Lord knows your needs. Jesus said, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26). We need to trust the Lord God for provision. He may give you talent that makes money like painting, tech-help, writing, accounting, and etc. The Lord may bring people into your life to help loosen the burden of bills or you may have miracles on daily basis like some pastors I know of in closed countries. Do not put limits on God's provision, but remember, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17) and that "If you seek first the Kingdom of the Heaven, all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). But do not become blind and think suffering is out of equation. Christ will provide, but many hardships may be yours; so be open and be thankful.