Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 2:
14 God always makes His grace visible in Christ, Who includes us as partners of His endless triumph. Through our yielded lives He spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go.
15 We have become the unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God—a perfume of Life to those being saved and the odor of death to those who are perishing.
16 The unbelievers smell a deadly stench that leads to death, but believers smell the Life-giving aroma that leads to abundant Life. And who of us can rise to this challenge?
17 For unlike so many, we are not peddlers of God’s Word who water down the message. We are those sent from God with pure motives, who speak in the sight of God from our union with Christ.
The Greek word peddler (kapēleuō ) means “retailer” but in classical Greek it comes with a negative connotation (“one who sells at an illegitimate profit”). The adverbial form of the noun is “cheating” or “deceitful.”
In the eighteen years of Servias, we have never had a payroll. We chose to resist any temptation to receive personal gain from contributions. No one can accuse us of “peddling” the Gospel for personal gain. This allows us to operate above reproach. Our focus continues to assist those in need.
Assessing one’s intent is critical in planting seed when contributing to various ministries. I acknowledge that in larger ministries there is a need for payrolls. However, it does place a burden on those in charge to hear The Holy Spirit in those matters. In our case, we can spread the Word of GOD without the concern of “tickling” the ears of major contributors thus we feel no obligation to water down the Word under monetary pressure.
Is this why many ministries do not emphasize the ministries of The Holy Spirit in church gatherings? Those in charge will be assessed accordingly.
The three requirements that will stand the test of time:
Which of our works will fall into the category of gold, silver, and precious stones rather than wood, hay, and stubble?
Your motive: for GOD’S glory. Are you doing it in obedience to the Word of GOD or are you doing you own thing or making your own rules?
Are you working in the power of The Holy Spirit or in your own fleshly ability?
The only acceptable power for ministry is the ministry of The Holy Spirit.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 15:
18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient-
19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.
Each of the blogs you read are only written after I pray in THE SPIRIT so as to receive what needs to be expressed at the time. This is by design. I am not qualified to write based on my own fleshly ability. Some days The Word is rather corrective in nature. And believe me, I need such correction as much as those who read these blogs. My goal is to rid myself of all self-centeredness and pride… and there was a lot to deal with.
It is my deepest desire for Jesus to speak the following Words to me:
Luke 19:17 TPT
“‘Splendid! You have done well, My excellent servant. Because you have shown that I can trust you in this small matter, I now grant you authority to rule over ten cities.’
It is not how you start the race; it is how you finish it!