Who's Ministry is it anyway?

Who’s Ministry is it anyway? So many claim to be ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but yet their focus seems to be on their careers and finances. I know, here’s another rant from a preacher about money. I know it takes money to live, but I also know that we must live by Faith, not by sight or our abilities to raise money! It is a slap in God’s face for a Church or Minister to be focused on money to carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, instead of Lifting up Jesus in their Preaching and their Living! Numbers seems to be the focus of most Pastor’s I know. Numbers in the pews, numbers in the financial books to do more programs and numbers of converts to keep up with the Church next door! This seems to be the theme in the Church today! Is this ego driven instead of Love for Christ? So many articles recently have shown that the incorporated Church is decreasing in numbers. Some have had to cut the salaries of the Pastor and even staff members. Some Churches have even filed for bankruptcy or even closed their doors. Is this what Christ had in mind? Where in the Bible does it say that Ministers must raise money to do the work of Christ? Did the Apostle Paul have fund raisers? How about Peter, James, John and any of the other Apostles? How about this question; what did it cost Jesus to win our Salvation? Everything! Whining, grumbling and complaining about doing the Work of Jesus Christ seems to be out of place! Should it not be a privilege and honor to exalt the Name of Jesus? I would say turn to Scripture and obey what it says concerning the Ministry.
Matthew 19:25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” Is not our Love for Jesus the motivation behind Ministry? Does it take money to share the Love of Jesus with others? Lets look at another Scripture; 2Co 6:3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;
5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” Notice Paul makes references in verses 4 and 5 about serving God in spite of monetary distress! Let look at these scriptures. 2Co 12:14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.” Paul is a good example of how all who minister for Jesus Sake should not be a burden. On the flip side of this arguemment there are these verses. Acts 4:34 “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” This is not Socialism but devotion to Christ and His Work! We will always support that which we Love! The Bible does say however; 1Co 9:11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. 16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. 19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” Notice Paul’s statements in verse 15 and 16. His argument is to build Christ Kingdom and not receiving monetary funds even though they are available. All this ranting of mine can be summed up this way; Jesus deserves all we have, period! He should be the focus of Ministry, not the minister, not the people, not the prosperity of the Church, but Jesus alone! Who’s Ministry is it anyway? Here is the answer! Mt 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” It Christ Church and He builds His Church through His own Power and our Love for Him. Mt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” What is the cost of His Ministry? Everything! Who’s Ministry is it anyway?