Money And Ministry: A Conversation On Making Money And Serving Jesus II

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

Many have only thought of prosperity in terms of money or the multiplication of material possessions, but prosperity is first an ability.

Material possessions or finances are often the most common symbols or indications of prosperity, which is why many equate prosperity with money, but it’s beyond money.
Let’s review the example of Joseph in Genesis 39:2; the Bible describes him as a prosperous man: “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” We’re told that he (Joseph) made his master, Potiphar, to prosper, to the extent that Potiphar made Joseph overseer of all that he had: “…the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand…” (Genesis 39:5-6).

Even after he was falsely accused and sent to prison, the Bible says that Joseph was still prosperous. He was put in charge of the prisoners, and the Lord made him successful in all that he did (Genesis 39:22-23).

You can be “in prison” and be prosperous. You can be working for somebody or an organization and be the reason for their prosperity. Consider Jacob: the Bible says he made Laban prosper. In Genesis 30:27, Laban testified of this to Jacob and said, “…I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.”

Much more than the acquisition of material possessions, prosperity is the ability to help others prosper! It’s the ability to do what you want to do, go where you want to go, and be whatever you want to be to the glory of Christ! It’s the ability to please God, walk with the Spirit, and have His glory manifested in your life! It’s the Spirit of dominion at work in your life as a child of God.
You’ve been empowered by God, not just to prosper spiritually, mentally, physically, and materially, but also to make others prosperous.

Whatever you are currently doing with your finances, especially in relation to God, the propagation of the Gospel, and the advancement of the Kingdom, is a reflection of what you would do if your finances were multiplied a hundred times.

Someone might think, “Only if I could get a million dollars, I’ll be a big preacher of the gospel of the Kingdom of God!” The question is, have you been faithful with the little committed to you? Have you put that little in your trust into the Gospel?

The Lord Jesus, in Luke 16:10, emphasizes the principle of faithfulness and integrity in managing worldly possessions when He said, “He who is faithful in a very little (thing) is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little (thing) is dishonest and unjust also in much. Therefore, if you have not been faithful in the case of unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11 AMPC).

Money is an amplifier; it has the unique ability to amplify, magnify, or reveal one’s character. Every action and decision you make with your money today is a testament to your character, and this fundamental aspect of your character will not change when your financial resources are increased. You will simply do more of what you have been doing.

For people who already use their money in negative ways, having more financial resources will only amplify those negative actions. Conversely, if you’re using your money for righteous purposes, seeding the Gospel, and advancing the Kingdom, having more money will amplify those good actions.

That’s why you need to examine your current financial behaviours; do they align with the principles of God’s Word? God is pleased to multiply the finances of those who are committed to His righteous cause. When you prioritize serving the Lord and His Kingdom, your actions with money become a testament of faithfulness. It’s not about the amount of money you possess; rather, it’s the alignment of your heart and intentions with God’s purposes.

By consistently prioritizing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and seeking His Kingdom above all else, you position yourself to experience God’s provisions and the multiplication of your resources. Hallelujah!

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellow. Learn from their ways and be wise! For though they have no king to make them work, yet they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter (Proverbs 6:6-8 TLB).

Financial discipline is very important, and it’s something the Spirit of God can train you in. Some don’t realise they’re not supposed to spend everything they get. Simple wisdom is that you spend less than you earn or receive; otherwise, you could end up in debt.

The response of some to this might be, “What I earn isn’t even enough; after paying my tithe, giving my offering, and doing other things I need to do, nothing is left.” No, don’t think or talk like that!

First, understand that you’re the seed of Abraham; therefore, your financial prosperity is independent of how much you earn or the economic situation around you. You’re an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ; you’re plugged to an unending supply. Thus, the idea of cultivating the habit to save isn’t about keeping your money in the bank to accumulate interest; it’s about discipline. Proverbs 21:20 TLB says, “The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets.”

You may say, “What’s the essence of saving a small amount; it’s not going anywhere.” Don’t destroy it with your mouth. Never declare that what you have is small or not enough. Money is spiritual; it’s not that coin or note in your pocket, wallet or bank account. Money has ears and can hear you. So you must learn to bless your finances.

The issue isn’t the size of your income, but the size of your mind— your thinking, and what your faith can produce. Think about how much you might have received in the last year, but then, how much of it did you reproduce? If your answer isn’t satisfactory, it’s time for a change.

As long as the things you put money into aren’t such that they can reproduce what you put in and more, then there’s a problem, and it’s expedient that you change things.

God’s Word imparts wisdom to you for financial intelligence and discipline. So, study and meditate on the Word more, and you’ll always deal wisely in handling your finances.

PS: The Pneuma School of the Supernatural and Bible College is offering a special three-month class on Money and Ministry.
The class is starting next week
Ministers and Believers who have been called into Ministry or who know their paths may veer into Ministry one day, should please register today.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/EUtoewkLEK83bgulmAx63g?mode=gi_t

We aim to raise financially independent ministers who wouldn't have to beg, borrow or be broke in the coming seasons.

-GSW-