Money. It’s amazing what happens when you begin to talk about it in the fellowship. When pastors bring it up, people within the congregation begin to talk about the fact that he’s always after their finances for himself. When you talk amongst the disciples, you can sense a lack of willingness to get involved in the conversation, often because of the miserly nature or the miss spent finances they are trying to cover up.
Yet the reality is simple, practically everything in life requires finances. The church does not receive some special dispensation from the gas company or the electric company so as do not have to pay their bills because they happen to be a ministry of Jesus. The cost of the ministry is to be absorbed by the disciples who benefit from the ministry.
You can even see this in Jesus’ mission on Earth. When we read through His list of donors here, we notice their hearts were soft, and their hearts were female. Every one of us involved in some aspect of full-time Christian service will tell you that the biggest number of or the most hearts that give to the ministry come from the ladies. Jesus ministry was no different.
So this week accept the sacrifice where it comes from. Know that you will give an account for how you spent it. And that account goes to the King of kings and Lord of lords. But do so with graciousness as you accept it, knowing that it was probably given out of great sacrifice and great appreciation.
What are your thoughts on this sensitive matter?
