Spirituality through Material Stewardship
April 17th, 2008 | Michael Q. Pink
“For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17
I was greatly heartened by the overwhelming response from Tuesday’s blog. You all gave me great hope that perhaps there is a body of people who do want to impact the culture through the strategic takeover of cultural mind molders that shape the destiny of a generation. We have a growing community of brothers and sisters from Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, Africa, Central & South America, etc who are using this site as a way of connecting, supporting and even challenging each other. The posts many of you contribute not only help each other but give life back to me and I am grateful that you take the time to stay in touch and share your perspective!
I spoke Tuesday night to a group of business-minded entrepreneurs in Greensboro, NC and it was terrific! What a great bunch of people! Special thanks to those who drove up from neighboring states to join us. It was wonderful to meet you!
Like many of you, there were several who were struggling to figure out how they could get out of the difficult financial straits they are in. The main emphasis of my talk Tuesday night was on perspective — how you see and interpret the circumstances you find yourself in and how you see yourself. If you see yourself as a grasshopper or a pauper, that is what you will be. That is, at least, how you will live.
We first have to get a firm grip on who we are and what we are which helps us discern a little more on “why” we are. We are children of the King, but that doesn’t mean we are supposed to be spoiled rich kids. Rather we are to be trained to rule and reign with Him. Do you have any concept of what that means? Our King owns everything and I believe He wants us to learn how to manage (steward) some of those things. It’s not that He needs help. It’s that we do! We need to grow up and mature.
Acquiring and managing resources involves risk and training and reward. In the process we grow up. And even better, we grow in our relationship with Him as He trains us to manage the planet and rule and reign in life. Business is a context for relationship. What a shame for those God prepared and gifted for sharing in the joy and privilege of managing the planet, who shun that responsibility because they want to do something they consider to be “spiritual.” Let me tell you, it takes a great deal of spiritual maturity to acquire and manage wealth without being mastered by it. Jesus said it would be difficult (Mat 19:23) I look forward to growing together with you all.
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April 17th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Your blog on Spiritual Maturity through Material Stewardship inspired me. I have struggled financially for many years - primarily because of the bad life-style choices and decisions I made before I became a follower of Jesus Christ. And now I continue to struggle because of self doubts about overcoming the “giants” in my life. I believe that a good part of that difficulty stems from my failure to connect with and embrace the significance of my new identity… as you put it, a child of the King. I always find great wisdom in your blogs and thank you for following your calling.
April 17th, 2008 at 6:58 am
I read every blog and as a result my focus is straight forward and clear.
Thank God for your call and you having the courage to lead.
April 17th, 2008 at 6:59 am
God gives the power to get wealth. This is needed for the Endtime Harvest. We need provision to build the temples of God worldwide. What if the Israelites leaving Egypt refused the gold and provision the Etyptians gave them?
April 17th, 2008 at 8:17 am
STEWARDSHIP of money, time, and ALL we have been entrusted with–that is the key to gaining/earning MORE. SOWING SEED–seeds of irresponsibility– produces blemished, ugly fruit. Sownng no seed at all, produces NOTHING!
Jesus brings us LIFE (supernatural energy)ABUNDANTLY to SOW ABUNDANTLY and the consequences are an ABUNDANCE of good fruit.
The “organized” church needs to mature and sow the seeds of revelatory “meat” messages. Without the MEAT, the “milk” message just can’t produce what this nation needs at this time. Milk-toast “Christians” are not going to get the job done and that has been proven.
Keep dishin’ up the “meat”, Michael. Thank you.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Amen! I think this is one of the most important things Christians can be hearing right now. What a better way to make a Kingdom difference than to be the ones that are in positions of influence. Michael thank you for sharing your calling, and helping to equip us to take the next step. Together we will make a huge impact for His glory!
In His Service,
Jeff Valentino
April 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Thanks Michael. I like the last statement, “growing together with you.” There is so much isolation going on in the Body of Christ. I see either “church goers” who do their good works of going to church and the isolationists who believe the world is ending and withdraw from life. From the beginning of my Christian walk it has been a challenge not to move from one “camp” to the other and remain balanced in HIM. The Hebrews 10 verse from the Word says, “do not forsake the gathering…” and yet this is not a cattle call, but a call to fellowship. Interesting the one place I see this “gathering” is on the net, to encourage us to be “in the world,” yet not “of it.” Blessings and peace from Southern Arizona!
April 17th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Michael,
Is there a way that those of us who are involved in solid, viable, honest, home-based ventures to share our opportunities with others that may be looking for ways to create another stream of income working part-time from home?
Some of the best ones have been built by Christian Business people who have the same philosophy as you do. There are hundreds of struggling, broke, Christians praying for a way to start a business from home without a large investment or getting caught in some scam.
If there was a place to post different types of home-based business opportunities with a link to click for info, that would be great! The seeker could check out different opportunities without any fear of someone railroading them into something before they are ready.
As a networking person, that is the hardest part of our business, connecting with people who are SERIOUSLY looking for a business & not a J.O.B. Most don’t have a clue that a J.O.B. will not provide long term residual income that will pay them back down the road long after the work is done. Most don’t even know what residual income is! The tax savings are huge for a small business person, also.
There’s got to be a way to do this, got any ideas?
Together, we can all help each other & everybody WINS for the KINGDOM!!
April 17th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Michael, thanks for your edifying articles. There is much need for more teaching and learning for the Christian community in the area of the marketplace, and I like the idea of setting up a filtered, and screened website (or business?) like Jan Gray mentioned, that would help those at home build an honest business. Not only that, Michael, but I know that there are monies out there (government?) that are available for starting a business, but how does one find out about these things and where does one start? Thank you for your honest, straightforward teachings. God bless all your efforts and my the Lord be glorified!
April 17th, 2008 at 10:18 am
The post today fits in nicely with the book I’ve been reading, “The Supernatural Ways of Royalty” By Kris Vallotton and Bill Johnson. While the book does not approach how to use Kingdom resources (your blog is a good companion to it) it does deal with that pauper mentality and discovering your rights and privileges of being a child of God. I would highly recommend this read. To many of God’s children live as paupers or grasshoppers while the enemy has been living in our inheritance and growing fat from it. The abundance of the world belongs to God’s children, it has just been twisted like everything else the enemy sinks his nails into.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Michael, Your messages are so encouraging to me and I’m very excited to be part of what God is doing in the earth in this area. I want to encourage you by responding today and telling you that when I receive your messages they are so much what I need to hear - each one! I know that we are of one mind and one heart (the heart of God) I read so many responses yesterday and didn’t respond because it seemed I would be saying the same things. But after your message today saying how much it encourages you, I want to write and tell you how much I look forward to reading what you are hearing from God and also reading what others write. Thank you.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Michael I have been following you for years reading your weekly messages and have purchased most or all of your teaching materials. Dennis Peacock is a mutual aquatance and I see that you track well with him(thats a compliment) Speakinf of tracking I am amazed at the timing and at the message that God gives you to share with us and how perfectly The Spirit of God uses you to confirm His Word to us. You’re on track and we’re tracking with you. Keep it up. Thanks
April 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
This is what I’m trying to grasp now, how to be a good stewart of what God is been giving me.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
To SWW: Good question! The Holy Spirit taught me via real life experiences not via a pulpit sermon or any man. To me, it means taking good care of purchases–vehicles, furniture, clothes, ALL of my “stuff”. It they are not taken care of they must be replaced often–what a waste of money! Re: PURCHASES–make wise purchases—MANY times I discern NOT to purchase what I thought I needed. For pure discipline purposes and self-control, I refrain from spending money even for small things and then suddenly I feel a “release” to go shopping.
I also priioritize my time!! I observe people spending time on foolishness. I am careful not to let “others” occupy my time needlessly!!
BALANCE and CONSISTENCY is so necessary.
Checking with my Lord, FIRST, just is natural for me now. It works!
Blessings to you,.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Michael,
I have spent most of the last few years in God’s preparation for getting wealth into the body of Christ from the secular business world. I think all of us called to this will struggle with the confusion of the “prosperity” movement , and God’s real work in the shifting of the world’s wealth. There is truly a difference, and we need leaders who understand that. We must be bold and focused. I look forward to more communication on this subject.
Thanks.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
I think Christians need to support each other and begin to network. There are many businesses that have an affinity with each other and we need to be strategic. We need to organize. I would love to be part of this. I feel inside of me is so much more that God wants me to do to use my experience and diverse knowledge in the marketplace.
Jan above that commented, is one seeking an outlet. Would it make sense for Michael to start a membership say for $10 a month for serious Christians to build legitamate businesses. A forum, a barter of services in marketing, maybe a joint venture category. I see lots of promise if we work together with the purpose of serving God and presenting Him through us.
I also feel there are so many tasks to learn that it would be more efficient for us to specialize in a few promotion techniques and barter with each other so we are not trying to learn so many strategies like youtube, facebook, myspace,Godtube,Squidoo, blogging and blog commenting, ezine article marketing, squeeze pages, list building…
We also need to learn how to properly outsource to proven inexpensive talent from other parts of the world. Maybe we need a Christian elance.com or scriptlance.com his is a huge thing that needs to be taught. We can help foriegn brothers and sisters that are happy to receive the work they bid on because the dollar goes further in their country.
Sorry if I rambled. We need a leader to bring us together.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
God has been speaking to me about David. David was the shepherd for his father’s sheep. It probably wasn’t the best of situations for David; his brothers ridiculed him and his father also rejected him as a son. (Jesse did not invite David when Samuel asked to bring all of his sons). But, this was David’s training ground. God was going to use David to shepherd the Israelites. David probably had no idea what God had for him. The one thing that David did during this time was worship God. He sung songs to Him and played his instrument for Him. It is here that he learned to fight the lion, bear, and eventually Goliath. Wherever we are at right now, we are training for what God has planned for us, and it is here where we learn to worship our Father. This will prepare us for whatever battle comes our way
April 17th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Thank you so much for this! I have always struggled between the necessity to be in my career (IT business systems freelance consultant), and the desire to do something ‘more spiritual’ - I have done bible school, and would love to do more in church, but my job keeps me too busy, but not very productively…. because I have not wanted to be there! However I realised this very thing about perspective….. I worded it this way…. the ‘pit’ you are in is your gold mine - it’s actually just how you see it! Dont sit there feeling sorry for yourself and wishing you were somewhere else… look around the pit, you’ll find gold/diamonds/oil/coal down there for sure….! I have been a ‘pauper’ working in one of the richest industries in the world - IT- for too long, and God has given me talents that I’ve only been using at about 40% - I know that because the feedback I got from my boss on a long project I did with IBM last year was he gave me about 4 out of 10 - I was mortified as I thought for me I had worked hard and had written a major piece of software for the project which was one of their biggest projects in France last year - but realised it was true, and it was because my heart has been elsewhere, believing that to serve God I should be in church all the time (which I do love - only I dont like the pay!
I love this bit…
“Acquiring and managing resources involves risk and training and reward. In the process we grow up. And even better, we grow in our relationship with Him as He trains us to manage the planet and rule and reign in life. Business is a context for relationship. What a shame for those God prepared and gifted for sharing in the joy and privilege of managing the planet, who shun that responsibility because they want to do something they consider to be “spiritual.” Let me tell you, it takes a great deal of spiritual maturity to acquire and manage wealth without being mastered by it. Jesus said it would be difficult (Mat 19:23) I look forward to growing together with you all. ”
Thank you! I would love to be in relationship with you - I am a British guy based in Paris, but I got your emails via the Elijah List I think originally….
Regards
April 17th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Michael,
I’ve forwarded that piece you refer to many of my “kingdom” minded buddies, and there was great agreement. I am encouraged daily by your refusal to
buy into the “system” that says we use the world view to accumulate more stuff!
Truth is truth, and it resonates when it’s stated clearly. It is what we’re to focus on this year. I’ve seen confirmation for your statment in many places, enough to know that God has spoken clearly in his mandate to us.
Thanks for standing for Him in the marketplace and giving us a standard to follow. I so appreciate your courage.
Cherie Hartline
Mary Kay
April 18th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hey Michael and others in this blogosphere,
Had a couple of thoughts to share on what’s been talked about the last few days.
First, some that disagree with most of us I think serve two (if not more) important purposes in our lives. First, they keep us sharp, if we listen to them, in not getting off too far on tangents. They help us keep our perspectives. I really believe we need these folks, and even the ones (secondly) who think we’re off in la la land and not serving God.
Why? Well, Jesus does say, “woe to you when all men speak well of you.” Well Michael, you don’t qualify for that! - isn’t that a blessing! LOL! More importantly, though, and I’ve got to thank Mike Bickle and others for these thoughts, it keeps us from pride. I can’t imagine how much more proud I’d be if everyone agreed with me or bought into what I said. In fact, I think there’s amply Biblical evidence that the more we grow, the more opposition we’ll face and the more disagreements people will have with us. That’s not to say part of this won’t be correction, but it will also be that we’ll be in the “right” and we’ll just be misunderstood. We’re in good company if we are!! Helps keep us humble.
Bless you Michael, this shows me in part that you are on the right track!
Dennis
April 18th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hey, Dennis et al:
Sure enjoy ALL the various comments and perspectives–everyone probably has a portion of TRUTH in the mix.
As to poverty: “Give a hungry man a fish to eat and it feeds him for a day. Teach a man to fish (work) and he eats a life time.” The big question: is WHY is a person poor? Investigate the circumstances and the WHY?
It is TRUTH—we are rather to be LENDERS, not BORROWERS!.. Borrowing to live and buy bare essentials is the mindset of the world (our own goverment) and is designed to do what it is doing–making borrowers like SLAVES IN BONDAGE that the world system has planned for the end of this age/generation of wickedness and godlessness.
God’s people: REJOICE! IN THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD TIMES–WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS NOT BECAUSE WE ARE SMART AND GIFTED BUT BECAUSE OF GOD’S LOVING CARE AND MERCY.
April 18th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Dennis - great perspective. Makes you think about what you say you believe when someone is questioning it!
April 18th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
I don’t even know how I found your page, but that’s what happens when we allow Holy Spirit to guide us in our everyday lives.
What a wonderful message! I’m looking forward to reading more, to learning more, and sharing what the Lord has shown me.
How great to find that I’m not alone in my views. May the Lord continue to show you His great treasures so that you may share them with us.
-Raquel
April 20th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I was preparing my Sunday School lesson to teach on Isaac’s obedience to remain in the Philistine country instead of doing as Abraham did and escape to Egypt. Great! Your words have been encouraging and supportive as I am obedient to God in the midst of a economic situation that impacts our society.
During the past 14 months my wife and lost our 43 year old son, and my wife’s mother became bedridden and needed constant care. Also, during the last year the real estate market entered a time of major adjustment.
I am have been impacted by this and have not had time to deal with the grief. Now, after several weeks of dealng with my pride and growing in humility I have experiened the restoration of my hope and creativity.
I enjoyed your study of Isaac that enhanced my Sunday School lesson. It gave me more assurance to obey and trust God no matter what I face.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:13 am
True Riches, true wealth.
A letter from Muhammad’s wife.
When “Muhammad” first converted to Christianity from Islam, he kept his new faith a secret. In fact, the first person he told outside of his wife and son was a Christian named “Joseph.” He knew the risks of sharing his faith with others in his homeland of Iraq but felt led to do so anyway. So he witnessed to his extended family. Following radical teachings of Islam, family members killed Muhammad.
Muhammad’s widow sent Muhammad’s friend “Joseph” an e-mail after the martyrdom of her husband. She wrote:
“I have bad news. Muhammad is dead. Our family killed him for sharing his new faith in Jesus Christ. I miss him dearly. Muhammad left me two important things: my son and our Bible. I’ll never forget why he died. He died for Jesus. I believe Jesus will help me. Tell the people [other Christians] to pray for me.”
Yes, Jesus promised persecution not riches, wealth, easy living but what a great privilege, to die for our King.
May we all be ready to die for our King.
Kern
April 24th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Actually, Jesus guaranteed both! Persecution and prosperity. HOWEVER, individual prosperity is relative to your calling and obedience. There is no doubt that the American “prosperity message” has had a lot of abuses. God is not the great slot machine in the sky. Defining prosperity as having achieved a certain financial status is a worldly view.
But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. IF God has ordered it, He WILL pay for it! He has promised that He will meet our need according to His riches in glory. A problem with some in the “poverty is holy” mindset crowd, is that they are judging what someone elses need is based on their own criteria. I may need $7 billion to fulfill the call of God on my life. I may only need $30,000 a year.
If it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me, then I am already dead to myself. I should be willing to follow the example of Muhammed in the post from Kern. I should also be willing to have God entrust me with the wealth of Soloman IF that is needed to fulfill the calling of God in my life.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I’m right there with Michael B.
People often make the same mistake when they are marketing. The presume that everyone is the same, and so create marketing strategies in that way. But marketing, like ministry, has many facets to it.
Not everyone will need the same service, just like not everyone needs the same amounts financially. As we cannot presume that a million dollars is enough for someone (it isn’t if God has called you to raise a telecommunications company for example — talk about billions!), we can’t also presume that $30,000 is too little for a yearly salary.
We will be most fulfilled when we flow in the purpose by which God made us. We just have to leave ourselves open to the many possibilities and opportunities, regardless of how much or even how little one needs to fulfill it.
“When you are faithful to follow where He leads, He will give you the authority (the power and right) and the anointing (the empowerment, the provision) to do it.”
We just need to leave ourselves open to His leading.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Michael,
What scripture does God guarantee prosperity, wealth?
I would like to know.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Also, Fyi, Solomon was the wisest man who ever live and he could not handle prosperity, read the last part of his life.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Kern,
Prosperity and wealth were part of the Abrahamic Covenant found in Duet. 28. In it, it lists the good points and the bad points of what happens when we break Covenant.
There were 613 commandments to the law. Since humans couldn’t keep it, to provide The Blessing God incorporated different atonements to cover the sins of the people. Why? Because He loves us and wanted to reflect His passion, His love, and His provision for His people. Since we can’t do it on our own, He provided the foreshadowing of Jesus.
Jesus didn’t come to oblish the law, but fulfill it. Which tells us that He kept ALL 613 commandments.
The crown of thorns was a simple of lack or poverty. Something that caused the Blood of the Lamb to run when they rammed it in His Head.
Blood MUST be shed in order for the transgressions to be gone. In the OT, the blood was only sufficient to cover. Jesus’ Blood purges! Amen! (This is where everyone shouts for joy!).
God continues to this day to fulfill what He said to establish (which means in the original language continue) the Covenant.
God gives us the EMPOWERMENT to get wealth. Which in essence means that you do what He tells you, and He will give you the favor, wisdom, understanding, discernment, or whatever you need to acquire.
In Psalm 23, He reminds us that He is our Shepard, we SHALL NOT lack.
SHALL is the strongest word in the English language. It means it MUST come to pass.
Now, that being said, we have the choice to go with the flow of the Holy Spirit and God’s plan or not. He doesn’t impose His will for our individual lives on us. He’s already given you the best He has, Jesus. Everything else, as they say, is just gravy. It’s just because He loves you and wants you to be whole in every aspect of life. It’s because He’s crazy about you and can’t help Himself.
He freely shares all He has out of love. Isn’t that what we do when we are totally in love with someone? Freely give it our all?
Finances are a means to an end. It’s to provide for people and share God’s love with. It’s only a tool, but a very useful when when you know how to work it to bring people into the Kingdom and empower those who are already in it!
April 24th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Regarding Solomon, Kern:
It was not WEALTH but WOMEN that Solomon couldn’t handle…
And yet, he was wise enough to get it together toward the end…
May we all not get to the point of allowing that one thing in our lives to ruin all that God has planned for us….
April 24th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
From Merriam Webster - prosper
intransitive verb
1: to succeed in an enterprise or activity; especially : to achieve economic success
2: to become strong and flourishing
transitive verb
: to cause to succeed or thrive
The first couple scriptures that come to mind are 3 John 1:2, Phillipians 4:19, 2 Peter 1:3, and 2 Corithians 2:14. I did not say that God guarantees wealth but God does give us the power to make wealth. If you hold to the gnostic believe that God isn’t interested in the natural world then you can spiritualize away every scripture. Using the Jewish traditions as an example, the spiritual was/is intertwined with every aspect of their lives. (See John Muratori’s Rich Church, Poor Church).
There is no doubt that those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and potential ruin (1 Timothy 6:9). But once again, not everyones calling is to own NBC or CNN. Nor is everyones calling to physically be killed for Christ’s sake. (though read my earlier statements about willingness). God will supply your need according to His calling on your life and your obedience to Him. There are some people on this blog that are called to be a conduit for great wealth (ie lots of money) to be used for furthering His Kingdom.
Just because Solomon disobeyed God does not mean that prosperity can’t be handled by a man. Jesus was prosperous His entire life and had exactly what He needed to fulfill His ministry. If Christ is in us and we allow him to reign supreme, then we too will have everything we need to fulfill our individual ministries.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Qyote from your comment above. Actually, Jesus guaranteed both! Persecution and prosperity.
Sounds like a guarantee to me.
Solomon did fall because of wealth and women. Quote I had everything under the sun.
Ps 23, tell most missionaries that it guarantees them wealth, as in worldly wealth.
Yes we will have everything we need to do whatever ministry he ask us to do, which may be poverty and death.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Each person adds value to this increasing body of information. My education includes a graduate degree in Theology. Due to that and many years as a pastor followed by many years of being leadership consultant and rainer in my denomination, I am very rich with the benefits of associating with Godly persons. One of my associates was Larry Burkett who died of cancer. He was rich in humility. His legacy of many books began with reading the Bible and identifying each verse that has anything to say about finances. In fact, he recorded that the Bible has more to say about money than any other subject. That is a bold but true statement.
I retired and began working in real estate. I am grateful to experience earning more money in one year than I made as a pastor or denominational trainer all the other years. Now, the real estate market is in a increasing crisis and the profits have turned the other way. In some ways I am similar to the apostle Paul who said that he was content in whatever state he found himself. I make a list of the riches that are more valuable:
1. My relationship to Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.
2.My wife who is truly a Godly woman and my closet friend.
3. My family who love all the time.
4. My friends that I have invested myself for many years.
5. My education that provides a foundation for personal growth.
6. My skills that I have continue to sharpen.
7. My mind that experiences the wisdom of God.
8. The Bible and promise verses that continue to be re-inforced.
After makiing this list, I realize that my assets are not in the list. My assets are one of the results of all the others.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:30 am
David,
I worked with Larry in the 80’s. I did seminars for him and spoke as some of his pastor seminars. Larry was one of my mentors. I still use his workbook when teaching others on budgeting.
Kern
April 25th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Kern,
Bless you brother, I sincerely appreciate your posts and what you add to the discussion.
I have a question for you, and I may be misunderstanding, so please feel free to correct me. Are you saying that God gives poverty to some, and that that is what they need to fulfill His call on their life? I know there’s a verse in Psalms that says give me neither poverty or riches, else with poverty, I may steal, or with riches, I may say I have no need of God (loosely paraphrased). In that respect, one might say that the Psalmist was inferring that poverty comes from God. However, there are other places in the Bible I’m sure where people prayed and and their beliefs at the time were not on par with what Scripture teaches plainly elsewhere.
I’m not in the everyone gets rich crowd. That being said, if you live in America, and many western nations, you are fabulously wealthy compared to the rest of the world. Acts 17:26 states clearly that God determined where we would live. Matt 6 states that God knows what we have need of, and to live in this country, even at the lowest levels, we again are fabulously wealthy because God gives us what we need to live here. I’m not condoning a culture of excess. Yet, if I worked in an office and wore the same suit every day for 3 months, I’d likely lose business as a salesperson. Now you might say that if my character and the presence of the Holy Spirit that flowed through me were to such an extent that my clothing did not matter, I would agree with you. At the same time, I’m not there primarily to be a witness (I am one, whether I say anything verbally or not), I am their to do good work and if part of doing good work in that context is being adequately clothed, and that requires in that context 10 $1,000 suits (an example, that’s not what I do), I am fabulously wealthy, and if God has called me there, he will provide.
As others have mentioned more succinctly and eloquently than I, it is one’s call that matters and what is required for that call. I believe many of us, if not most of us, do not reach the high calling God intends for us. I’ve heard of someone who has received a prophecy that they will be president one day. Certainly that will require money. I also know someone personally who was involved in the governor’s campaign, and is currently involved in a US Senator’s re-election campaign, who is called to politics. That is a much different crowd in terms of how one gains respect.
Finally, one of the things I really appreciated about Pastor Adelaja is that he said the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous, but it would be unjust of God to just take it from someone and give it to another. God would have to violate His nature. Instead, Christians should provide something of value that many want, and in this way there’s a transfer of wealth.
Blessings,
Dennis
April 25th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Two other points I neglected to add:
1. I’m not trying to “name drop” and therefore did not mention the name of the state where the person I know was involved in the governor’s campaign. I was more looking to make a point.
2. I also wanted add a link for an article about doing good work. This is by Dallas Willard, who is a philosophy professor at the University of Southern California, and a Christian speaker and author. He has written several outstanding (in my opinion) books, and one of his basic tenets is that our work is a very main place where discipleship occurs. The article is not written directly about doing good work but he tells about his approach. If I could recommend one of his books, it would be “The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God.”
http://www.dwillard.org/biography/tenure.asp
Blessings,
Dennis
April 25th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Dennis,
Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of his body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.
But notice how Paul says this in verse 24: He says that it is in his sufferings and in his flesh—that is, his actual, suffering body that he does his share in filling up the afflictions of Christ. So Paul sees a very close connection between his sufferings and Christ’s afflictions. What this means, I think, is that God intends for the afflictions of Christ to be presented to the world through the afflictions of his people. God really means for the body of Christ, the church, to experience some of the suffering he experienced so that when we offer the Christ of the cross to people, they see the Christ of the cross in us. We are to make the afflictions of Christ real for people by the afflictions we experience in offering him to them, and living the life of love he lived.
“I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake . . . filling up that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.” Christ wills to have a personal presentation of his sufferings to the world. And the way he means to offer himself as a sufferer for the world to the world is through his people who, like him, are willing to suffer for the world. His sufferings are completed in our sufferings because in ours the world sees his, and they have their appointed effect. The suffering love of Christ for sinners is seen in the suffering love of his people for sinners.
I think what we see in Colossians 1:24 is the living out of Jesus’ words in Mark 8:35, “Whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s shall save it.” The pathway of salvation is the pathway of “losing one’s life for the sake of the gospel.” The point is that taking the gospel to people (across the office or across the ocean) ordinarily requires sacrifice and suffering, a losing of life or a denying of self. This is the way Christ means for his saving sufferings to be taken to the world, through the sufferings of his people.
It is almost impossible for Americans to come to terms with Jesus’ commendation of the widow who “out of her poverty put in all the living that she had” (Luke 21:4). He actually praised her. He didn’t accuse her of irresponsibility. He praised her sacrifice for the cause of God. To see this spirit fleshed out, we may have to leave America and go elsewhere. Stanford Kelly illustrates it from Haiti.2
A Story of Sacrificial Giving in Haiti
The church was having a Thanksgiving festival and each Christian was invited to bring a love offering. One envelope from a Haitian man named Edmund held $13 cash. That amount was three months’ income for a workingman there. Kelly was as surprised as those counting a Sunday offering in the United States might be to get a $6,000 cash gift. He looked around for Edmund, but couldn’t see him.
Later Kelly met him in the village and questioned him. He pressed him for an explanation and found that Edmund had sold his horse in order to give the $13 gift to God for the sake of the Gospel. But why hadn’t he come to the festival? He hesitated and didn’t want to answer.
Finally Edmund said, “I had no shirt to wear.”
God is calling us to prepare to suffer . . . not only because of the moral effects of purification and refining; and not only because of the intimacy factor of going deeper with Jesus and knowing him better; but also because what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ must be filled up by those who take those sufferings to the world and show the loving sacrifice of Christ through the loving sacrifices of his people.
yes, some are called to suffer for Christ sake, that may mean living in poverty and they may never receive their reward until they get to heaven.
Kern
April 26th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Dennis,
One other thing, too many Christians live as if this was their home and not heaven. We stockpile stuff as if we were going to live here forever. Our home is not here, our final destination is heaven.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Kern,
Great posts. I do believe many Christians live as if this were the only life. And I do believe a sacrificial spirit is much needed in the Body of Christ. As David Johnson mentioned on the Sunday Adelaja call, many Christians give, expecting a return, which I think is Biblical, but then do nothing, instead of doing their part. God does encourage us to give so that we can receive so that we can give so that we can receive so that we can give, and on and on. I believe we are to be conduits of His blessing.
Might I add another perspective? I am becoming enamored more and more with Dallas Willard’s perspective on the kingdom of God. He interprets Jesus’ statements as one losing their life for the sake of the kingdom, hating one’s own life, etc. as not so much being a negative. He sees it more as because the offer of kingdom living that God has given us in Christ is so great, that a merchant would sell his most prized possession and give that for the treasure of the kingdom.
As well, I believe when Jesus says that one who seeks to save his soul will lose it, but the one who loses his soul for Jesus sake will find it, we have to really understand what He is saying. Our life comes to our primarily through our soul, historically understood as our mind, our emotions and our will. Peter talks about receiving the goal of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls. I believe in large part this is conformity to the character of Christ, to where we think as He thinks, we feel as He feels, and we will what He wills. As well, when Jesus says that the kingdom of God has come, repent and believe the good news, He really means that this is good news! He in essence is saying, change your plans for living because of what is available to you, namely, the dynamic rule and reign of God in your life, or the presence of God.
I believe from my own study and background (undergrad in Psychology) as well as Willard’s, that the church has not understood the place of the soul, and because of that, has put burdens on people’s backs that God never intended. “For the letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life.” My one man’s perspective (my own), I see a lot of good done by many different evangelical and charismatic denominations. But I also see a lot of “white-knuckling” in trying to overcome issues. As well, I see at times (myself included) where we have outward conformity, e.g., we don’t get drunk on wine, but inwardly, we have many of the same issues as alcoholics do, bitterness, rage, anger, jumping on our kids’ backs, etc. All in the guise of being a good Christian. Jesus calls that religion of the Pharisee, outward conformity. Instead, He says, learn of Him (directly from Him) and we will find interior rest. He is not the harsh taskmaster (I’m preaching to myself here) of demanding outward conformity. Rather, He would have us become in our character, which would then flow out to our actions, the kind of people who it is natural for not to lust, not to condemn, not to murder in our hearts, etc. Jesus attacked the outward conformity of the law in the Sermon on the Mount, and instead focused in the attention on the inward person, the heart.
Anyway, I’m rambling on. I do believe we need to live kingdom-oriented lives. As Jesus said, if we do that, we will have all that we need. For some this will be much, for others, not so much. But it will be what we need.
Blessings,
Dennis
April 26th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Kern,
Two other points.
First, many of us live here as Christians not understanding that our life we live as Christians will be judged and will determine our reward. I count myself in that group. We will suffer loss. Many of us seem to have a mentality of the world being so evil, I’m just going to hang on until Jesus comes back. I equate that mentality to some who have the mentality where I grew up to where, I’m just looking to get a job with the state (nothing wrong with that) as a toll collector (again, nothing wrong with that at all) just so that when I retire I get a good pension. Yet these folks have many gifts and talents given to them by God Himself that could have been employed in the service of others for their betterment and the expansion of the kingdom. Many Christians have that mentality.
Second, we will be living on the earth, a new heaven and a new earth. Jesus will come back to reign here for 1,000 years. And then there will be a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. The garden of Eden type life will be restored, which was God’s intention for man from the beginning. Heaven as we know it today - where people are now who died in Christ - I believe is a holding place. That is not their final destination from my perspective. What this view does is to again call what is material, good, as God did originally in Genesis. And what man was to do in that environment, which is to work, also as good. Again, many of us seek to live non-materialistically because of not wanting to conform to a consumer culture (right intent) but we end up going to the extreme of saying that what is material is bad. In fact, we really don’t accomplish what we are looking to do when we take that tack, which is to live non-materialistically. We actually end up with a Gnostic viewpoint. And with the Gnostics (see 1 John), since spirit was good and matter was bad, they didn’t really think that it mattered that they actually sinned. And though I’m not overweight, I do have issues with food (self-control, addiction, etc), and the sin of gluttony in the church is really never addressed. So the view that matter (materialism) is bad really does not address a materialistic concern (overeating, for example). If instead an opposite view was taken, that it matters how I live my life here and what I do with my body does matter (a materialistic view - again, not a consumer mentality) then folks would deal with their bodily issues, food, etc.
Bless you Kern. You are a true brother in the Lord!
Dennis
April 26th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Kern,
Not to wear you out, but could I recommend you look at Dallas Willard’s “Divine Conspiracy?” It is a remarkable book and he addresses much better some of what I’ve written.
Blessings,
Dennis
April 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am
One final note (I promise!). You can check out some of Willard’s articles at
www.dwillard.org.
April 26th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Dennis,
Thanks. I think where we disagree, but still discuss in love, is that I believe Christians should give because of our love for God and what he did for us and not expect any reward. Now I know, most of the time we will receive a reward but it will be because of God’s grace not because of what we did. I base this on what Paul said in Romans that even my most righteous deed is dung to God.
Thanks for Willard articles and if I might be so bold to give you one. It is Randy Alcorn’s web site www.epm.org. His book Money, Possessions and Eternity is a great read. I might warn you he is reformed in his theology, as I am.
In Him,
Kern
April 27th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Kern,
Thanks for the warning, I definitely have to watch out for you reformed guys…..
I’m teasing you. My brother is staunchly reform. God has blessed him in the business realm. Though not perfect, he is faithful, has integrity and God has blessed him for that. He’s also given me a book by Richard Baxter, “The Religious Tradesman” which is a book about the Christian workman. From what I’ve read of it, it’s very good. Also, the Lord used the Dutch Christian Reformed Church to bring me to Himself. And those folks are hard workers and because of that, successful in business. Finally, one of my high school friends is a missionary in West Africa, and the Dutch Christian Reformed church is one of his main supporters. I like a lot of the Reformed stuff. John Piper is one of my favorites, I like Spurgeon (is he reformed?). Don’t know if you’ve ready any of RT Kendall, he is reformed and very good.
That being said, I like things about both Arminian/Wesleyan and Reformed camps. I do not see myself as one or the other. I’m sure I don’t know everything about either camp, nor do I want to. I dislike things about both as well. I’ve got some books by R.C. Sproul, and I like the Reformed Study Bible, am considering getting one at some point.
I will check out his site. I’ve seen some of his books over the years but have not read any of them.
Bless you man!
Love in Christ,
Dennis
April 27th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Yes, Spurgeon is reformed. Many of my armenian Baptist pastor friends won’t admit it or they dismiss it. Piper is my favorite as is John MacAuthur and Al Moler president of Southern Seminary.
Be careful reading Sproul, Piper and other reformed authors, before you know it, you will be going around quoting TULIP.
FYI, I use the Reformed Study Bible but a new ESV study bible is coming out this fall and everyone is really prasiing it.
God bless you
In Him, who can do more than we even can dream about,
Kern
May 1st, 2008 at 7:15 am
well put!!! as children of the KING we have a covenant responsibility to prosper and walk in the blessing so that we can be a blessing until all the families of the earth are blessed.PRINCES BECOME KINGS,PRINCESSES BECOME QUEENS
May 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Kern,
Thanks for the news on the ESV study Bible coming out, I’ll be on the lookout for it. BTW, I do know the TULIP (not by heart but pretty close). And Eph 3:20 is one of my favorite verses!
Bless you man!
Dennis