For those of us who have spent decades following Christ, this seems to express the reality:
“What comes to my mind after watching the video is that there are times and seasons of life. There was a time when I forsook all, left my business, packed up the family and went into the ministry to preach the gospel. There was a time when I needed to work in order to pay rent and put food on the table because the people I was ministering to were so poor they did not have the means to provide for me and no one showed up on my doorstep with a care package. There was a time when I was expelled from the denomination and had to seek work feeding swine for 10 years. There was a time when I worked 2 jobs in order to provide a decent education for my children so they could have a better life than I have had. There was a time that I got hurt and could not work and my neighbors came to my aide. There was a time that I realized I was getting old and someday I would be unable to work so it was necessary to put back funds for retirement. There was a time when I realized that life is simply a classroom for God’s children, that no two children are alike and each one has to follow a specific path in order to complete their training. I am old now and have learned not to listen to those who wish to condemn me or beat me over the head with the bible. I’ve been in and seen cults and communes. I can tell you first hand they don’t work long term and people usually get hurt. There was a time when I understood being a disciple of Jesus Christ is all about walking in love (thank you brother Bob). There was a time that I realized all my self righteous acts were not going to make me stand approved before God. “
Many teachings contain a Truth in them but we must not assume the rest of the teaching is applicable to all who listen to the teaching. This is why each of us must seek to hear FATHER and be led by The Holy Spirit each and every day. Each part of the Body has a unique function with unique resource requirements. Many are called to work in order to support those who are specifically called to the ministry. Without support as mentioned above, how can one minister and be a testimony? We must not be quick to embrace all teaching but let The Holy Spirit minister whatever Truth we need and is appropriate to our particular situation.
Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 4:
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul was supported by the church at Philippi and he expressed his appreciation of their willingness to give. FATHER knows that there is a need for men and women to work in various vocations in order to support the ministry. We must be careful in what we hear and assume that it applies to us as well. FATHER will confirm HIS Word to each of us and we will have peace when we are led to act. FATHER will also open the door if we are called to the ministry and will provide whatever we need in order to be successful.
Until we get a different directive from FATHER, we should continue on the path HE has us on. I can share the Gospel in the workplace just as easy as anywhere else. FATHER is the ONE WHO established the value of gold and silver which money represents in general. We must not serve money but simply use it appropriately for buying and selling. A cheerful giver is pleasing to FATHER and if you have nothing to give then how can you be counted as one?
Hopefully these last two blogs provide us with a better perspective on guarding our hearts when it comes to the various teachings available on the Internet.