When giving your Ransom Coin in the Census, you activate an expression of faith.
James 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says,“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
I have told the story in the past about the Word of THE LORD coming to me on October 16th, 1987 at 5 AM. HE said, “Buy $25,000 of IBM Puts (Options) today”. I failed to respond because of my unbelief that it was HIM speaking. On Monday, October 19th, those $25,000 of IBM Puts were worth $1.2 Million. The point of this story is that I know Our Heavenly Father can transfer wealth quickly and efficiently, and does not need a large number of people to do it. That lesson was seared into my brain as you can imagine. By the way, HE has not seen fit to do that again… yet. I trust that I will respond differently when HE does.
I told you of that event to say that the Census is not so much about Servias Ministries accumulating coins as it is about providing a means for the Remnant to express its faith. Yes, everything Our Heavenly Father does is multi-faceted but there are other ways for Servias to receive coins into the Treasury. When Our Heavenly Father conducts a Census, HE makes sure that even those without financial means can participate:
Exodus 30:15 The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when you give an offering to the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves.
A half shekel was the normal equivalent to one day’s wage at common labor. Today in the U.S., minimum wage is $7.25. An eight hour day of work generates $58.00. In many other countries the equivalent of a day’s labor would be lower. Today, a one ounce U.S. Silver Eagle coin costs about $22.90.
This ransom coin was an expression of commitment during the roll call of those who would be counted on to do warfare on behalf of Our Heavenly Father’s plan to take Canaan.
Number 1:18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first [day] of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.
Our Heavenly Father did not need their coins to conquer Canaan. HE could have simply used great hailstones to do the job. However, HE uses men and women of faith who say “Amen” to HIS purpose to bring forth the Kingdom. HE is looking for obedience rather than sacrifice. If HE wanted sacrifice, HE could have made the ransom money requirement equivalent to a month’s or year’s wage. Instead HE required a token amount to insure all could participate. Did some need assistance? Yes, just as today. All were given the opportunity to say “Yes and Amen” to the roll call.
To register online for the Census, details are at: http://www.servias.org/?p=1718
Send your coin to:
Servias Ministries
PO Box 1471
Bethany, OK 73008
Other writings on the Census: http://www.servias.org/?cat=11