May the peace of the Lord be with you.
Topic: *THEY ARE ENTITLED TO LIVE OF THE CHURCH*
1 Corinthians 9:3-14 King James Version (KJV)
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Beloved, it is very right for a Man of God to live of proceeds from the Church. Nothing stops him from receiving support for his well being, family among other needs from the Church.
The Man of God is entitled to these things. It is not a favour being done to him by the Church. It is his due.
Notice that, this person sows spiritual seeds in you always. You turn to him for counselling, prayers, teaching of the Word among other services he renders to you. Then after all these, you are not comfortable with him living of the Church and you want him to get an everyday job as well to support himself and his family.
This attitude of Christians is wrong. If the Man of God is working by choice it is not wrong but if he is not, the Church is not supposed to compare him to the one working and criticise him.
He is entitled to the support so allow him to receive it in peace and live in peace to do the work of God in peace.
Christians, stop the condemnation of Men of God raising funds, receiving offerings and tithes to enable them run the Church, carry out projects and also have support for themselves and family as well as other needs that they may have to take care of.
Beloved, do your part. Give to the Church, support the Church with what you can give. Allow others do same and let God direct the rest. You are not God neither are you wiser than the Word of God that has outlined this wisdom for His servants not to go begging but be provided for in His home.
Beloved, Jesus who is the Son of God and is God was supported by people who served Him with their substance, time and strength. I don't think you nor I is better than those who served Jesus when He was on earth. Christians serve the Man of God, serve the Church with your substance, time and strength and stop complaining about the little you give to God.
*IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS* and no one else. If you are a true Christian and understand the Jesus you are following and how He run His ministry then follow and do same to glorify Him.
Prayer: Daddy please have mercy on your children, forgive them and cause them to give their substance, time and strength to your servants and the church for the successful and smooth running of the ministry you have put in the hands of your servants so that your mission will be fully accomplished in Jesus name. Amen.
_EXHIBIT YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS AND THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY SHALL SURELY REWARD YOU_
#itsallaboutjesus
