Biblical/Christ-Like Manhood
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. … Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” Ephesians 5:25-29
Believer’s Bible Commentary on Ephesians 5:28-29
“5:28 After soaring off on this magnificent rhapsody dealing with Christ’s love for the church, Paul now returns to remind husbands that this is the pattern they are to imitate: So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. In imitation of Christ’s love, they should love their own wives as being indeed their own bodies….
It is also interesting to notice the varied ways in which Paul describes the close relationship of the husband and the wife. He says that in loving his wife, a man is loving his own body (v. 28a); himself (vv. 28b, 33); and “his own flesh” (v. 29). Since marriage involves a true union of persons, and two become one flesh, a man who loves his wife is, in a very real sense, loving himself.
5:29 Man is born with the instinct to care for his own body. He feeds, clothes, and bathes it; he protects it from discomforts, pain, and harm. Its continued survival depends on this care. This solicitous interest is a pale shadow of the care the Lord has for the church.”
Being a Godly husband begins with being born again and given completely over to God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ who came to serve and not to be served (Matt. 20:20-28). Whatever you do – learn this! Meditate prayerfully over Philippians 2:3-5. God is calling us to lay it all down beloved brother. Face to the floor in utter brokenness.
May God bless every godly husband to bless his beloved wife today and make her life better than if she didn’t have him, in Jesus’ Name.
To the God-fearing man, life is about worshipping Christ and serving others (Philippians 2:3-5).
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
It is GOD Himself who puts His fear in our hearts. Read these verses below closely and pray that the LORD will instill His fear deep in your being.
Jeremiah 32:39-40
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I WILL PUT MY FEAR IN THEIR HEARTS, that they shall not depart from me.
Hint: Good men and good women despise the evils of the jezebel feminism witches. Only an ungodly, unclean, lust-filled man can be ensnared with this evil.
“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.” Ecclesiastes 7:26
The man whom our LORD has saved must not wait for his wife, or anyone else for that matter, to serve God. He must take personal responsibility to servant-lead before the One to whom He shall give account (Romans 14:10).
MARRIAGE IS A PICTURE OF CHRIST AND HIS BELOVED BRIDE. AND, WHAT DID CHRIST DO TO PURCHASE HIS BRIDE? – HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE.
Recently, I was blessed to behold a precious God-fearing family. There was dad, mom, and four children ranging from about 14 to 21. They sat outside at a restaurant and studied God’s Word. The dad seemed to be relating or leading in the Scriptures. Everyone was listening intently. God’s love seemed apparent in their lives. When finished, they all got up from the table where they were sitting and the oldest daughter grabbed her daddy and hugged him as they walked to their vehicle.
Liza Young writes:
“Our growth in grace may change our spouse, or it may not. There are no guarantees in life except GOD – His truth and His love. But with HIS help, we can change. Although all our marriage ills may not be cured GOD’s grace can make us well. Success in marriage is not finding the right or perfect person but becoming the right person.”
There’s only one way to be a man of truth – to immerse yourself in the study and obedience of God’s Word/truth daily.
O that men would lead their families in the things of the LORD! Consider the following passage which concerns the LORD, Abraham, and the exact reason God could trust and work through this man called Abraham.
“Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;” Genesis 18:18-20
Like Abraham, are you a man that God can trust? Are you trustworthy? Are you a man of your word or a hypocrite (Ecclesiastes 5:1-10)? I included that last verse above because we live in a rebellious age like as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, and yet there are the righteous remnant who persist in loving, fearing, willingly obeying, and serving the Most High. They are blessed examples and the salt of the earth! God is good! Be His salt and light today precious saints!
“I will therefore that MEN pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” 1 Timothy 2:8
WHEN we lay down our lives, we are truly hid in Christ, we fear NO mere man!
Memorize James 1:22 and 1 John 3:18.
Ready or not – Jesus is coming!
Exhortation – Things I Know God Quickens this Disciple to Remember
Praying, being full of God’s Word, is the way we become and remain strong in the LORD and the power of His holy might.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Timothy 2:1-3
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; 12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12
“Fathers” in the Faith
“For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 4:15
A “FATHER” IS SIMPLY A MAN WHO IS SEASONED, EQUIPPED, PREPARED, AND MATURED BY GOD DUE TO CAREFUL, DILIGENT, PRAYERFUL AND DAILY WALKING WITH JESUS.
The apostle Paul was confronted with the exact problem we have today among men whom the LORD has saved. That problem is that many whom the LORD has rescued have not sought His face unrelentingly and are therefore not maturing and becoming edifiers who build up the body of Christ “for the work of the ministry” and to establish truth among their family members (Ephesians 4).
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14
If you are eating, you are growing. If you are not eating God’s Word daily, you are not growing in Christ and you are, in reality, already backsliding.
Victory step: Go to a brother (if you are a man) and confess your fault/weakness (James 5:16). This will 1) bring it into the light, and 2) this will give your brother in Christ a specific to pray for concerning your life. True Christian fellowship should include this. You hopefully discern who is a sound, trustworthy brother to confess your faults to. Both men should be willing to honestly admit their weakness(es) and pray for each other to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). Stay clear of any man who is self-righteousness and never confesses any faults. Your secret is not safe with such a counterfeit swine (Matthew 7:6).
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me – as a man – to worship You in spirit and in truth and to bless, serve, love, edify, and help women, children, and other men. Jesus, please make me an example of Your holiness and humility. No one ever stooped lower than You LORD – to save me and all men. You must increase but I must decrease LORD Jesus! Break me and mold me Father for Your eternal glory. You are the Potter and I am simply the clay. Grant me a heart of flesh, a humble, broken heart, and a servant’s disposition in all things and no matter where You lead me. In Jesus’ holy Name, amen.
—– PRAYER of godly unmarried men who wish to be married …. Heavenly Father, please break me to the core of my being and bless my heart to be sincerely humble and contrite as You prepare me to be the bridegroom of one of Your precious daughters who are priceless (Proverbs 31). Bless me to cherish her as the “weaker vessel” and to love, honor, provide for and protect her, in Jesus’ holy Name! Amen Jesus!
MORE . . .
Lemuel’s mother taught him: “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” Proverbs 31:3
YOU be the man. Study and know what God has made you for and requires of you as a man who is the servant of Christ.
Strength – Hebrew
H2428
חַיִל
chayil
khah’-yil
From H2342; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength: – able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).
Total KJV occurrences: 243
Jezebels cannot and will not function where there is no Ahab but rather godly men who refuse to be moved off of truth! Read Revelation 2:20-24.
MEN of God are not to be brawlers – Those days are in the past gentlemen of Jesus: “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” 1 Timothy 3:3
Weak, Ahabish Men | Manhood | Gentlemen; Set Things in Order
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Articles
The 1611th Mention of LORD (And Why It’s a Really Big Deal)
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Psalms 12:6-7
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Articles
Understanding Ministry-A Must for all who will be used of God [podcast]
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
Brothers and sisters, we are going to feed Jesus’ body as a body – “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body UNTO THE EDIFYING (building up) OF ITSELF in love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)
MINISTRY is NOT a performance. The Godhead is the only audience that matters and the lord alone can bring forth fruit that glorifies himself through crucified vessels! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12)
…. We feed and serve the members of Jesus’ body as a team as Paul seem to speak so often of in the book of 2 Corinthians. Paul used the word “WE” several times concerning ministry there ….. “WE preach not ourselves but Christ …” (2 Corinthians 4:5) Read Psalms 133:1-3 and may our LORD imbue us with this blessed truth of true unity among His people on the foundation of the eternal truth of His written Word. It’s not about WHO the LORD’s Word comes through but rather that it is simply preached and taught as was the case of the earliest of Christ’s followers who “ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42) And how often should Jesus Christ be preached and taught? Weekly? No! – “daily.”
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42
“For WE (not just you or me but US collectively) are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
We must not only kick the “me” habit but also we must kick the weekly (weakly) habit and live out a “daily” relationship with Jesus who often used that very word – “daily” – in relation to walking with Him (Lk. 9:23-24).
Can anyone find a verse in the New Testament that speaks of “weekly” or even as having to go to church on sun? No … Acts 2:42-47 … Heb. 10:25 speaks of … “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – “daily” NOT once or twice a week …..Heb. 3:13 says “But exhort one another DAILY, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” ….. just WHO has sold us on the weekly gig? Could it be those who prosper by you patronizing their little church business and dropping your coin in their coffers on Sunday morning?
You and I are mere men and therefore aren’t the deal (object of worship) …. no, there’s only ONE that is the magnificent, perfect, divine LORD, Savior, Creator, Sustainer, KING of all kings, and LORD of all lords and that’s Jesus! So, soon as we ‘get over ourselves,’ perhaps God will begin using us (Matt. 5:3; 21:44; Col. 2:8-10; 18-19; Rev. 1:8., etc.).
MINISTRY which pleases God is simply helping people know and grow in the grace of Christ themselves – by the cross life and getting into HIS Word for themselves so they follow HIM, not you or I! God-glorifying ministry always fosters in the hearers faith in God, not the preacher or local church organization! Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:9; 3:5; 4:5.
WHY do people become enraged when a false leader they love is exposed? It’s because their heart affections are attached to those mere men instead of given over to Christ. Cult of personality. They’ve chosen to be sucked in, seduced by the evil spirits working through Satan’s agents who pose as Christ’s leaders (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). Though Satan’s emissaries come in all flavors, those diabolical human agents are very charismatic is most cases. The idolaters therefore created a soul tie with those “idol shepherds” (Ezekiel 11:17) and through their spiritual adulterating on God (Exodus 20:3-4; 34:14).
MINISTRY KEYS
— Load up on the Word. Study God’s Word diligently, daily, relentlessly (2 Timothy 2:15).
— Relentlessly seek the face of God in prayer (1 Chronicles 16:11).
— Be baptized with the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8; 2:4, etc.).
— Walk in God’s love (John 13:35).
— Preach the pure Word (2 Timothy 4:2).
— Edify, comfort, exhort, admonition, etc., the LORD’s body (1 Thessalonians 5).
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Apostasy
“WHY Don’t Christian Authors Just Give Away Their Books?”
HINT: 1. It costs the ministry for each and every book from the publisher. 2. There is no money tree given to Gospel laborers. In fact, those who preached the LORD’s truth will be shunned, despised, attached, and shorted. 3. The outreach sends books to prisoners every month and that costs. 4. If you’re going to complain, you will be confronted with the request that YOU supply the ministry with the needed funds to operate on so that all the books can then be free. Get a clue!
FYI: The book format, is simply another communication medium, another way to reach more people, to get the Word of God out to the people for whom Jesus died…. a message from Scripture on each page, full of Holy Scripture, always bolded. The small amount that is brought into the ministry on books simply goes into dropping these books into prisons and to ministries. Along with King James Bibles. The ministry outreach is supported by individual saints of Christ who desire to see more people reached with God’s love and Word in this late hour. | Sending the Divine Light into “The Prison House” house
For the record, due to amazon charging us for each book, we do charge for books. By God’s grace, we also give many books away locally, nationally, and send them into prisons. In part, this is made possible when believers are blessed to pay for a ministry book (Acts 20:35). None of us here are independently wealthy and so cannot possibly afford to fund the whole operation. “Wisdom is justified of her children” (Luke 7:35). I’ve also come to the understanding that when people pay for something, including believers, they then value it and read it more (Matthew 6:21). Also, believers spend money in this world EVERY day on frivolous foolish waste, so they can certainly help the work of Christ. If they balk that everything’s not free, that’s their own heart issue. What I tell them is “Well, we’d be glad to give all the books away from now on. That would be great. In order to do that. we need you to personally write a check to fund that project. Here’s our mailing address. When should we expect to receive your offering?”
The opportunity, the privilege of supporting God’s work is the very gift of God to bless your heart to be nearer to Him and to lay up eternal treasure in Heaven with your name on it! (See Matthew 6:19-21.) Do not miss the blessing God ordained for you (Acts 20:35). Each of us has an “account” in Heaven (Philippians 4:17). What’s in yours?
When people pay for something, they value it as their hearts follow their giving. Read Christ’s words in Matt 6:21 closely. Thanks for listening friends.
The Scripture-rich ministry books are merely a medium of communication, a format whereby a message is conveyed, which is what a pulpit is, right? …. Just as is the podcasts and the website platform itself or merely mediums of exchange of a message. We lose money on the books each month because the books are sent to the incarcerated weekly, those who sit in darkness and need the light of God’s truth (though in the past we’ve sent Bibles, all prisoners have Bibles given them by the chaplains). When people purchase the books that’s what helps fund the sending forth of the Born Again book and others to those in prison. Trust me, this ministry never has or ever will have the problem of having too much funding 😉
If we’re going to stop preaching and teaching God’s Word via books, the book format, that means we must cease preaching His Word on the internet, social media platforms, from pulpits, and radio. Right? The medium of exchange isn’t what matters. What matters is the purity of the message. Daniel prophesied of this day of increased communication technology (Daniel 12:4).
At times we hear ministers boasting that they take no royalties for the books they’ve penned as if to pat themselves on the back. Yet, what they aren’t telling you is that they receive enough funding to do such and they live off of that along with being able to forego royalties from their book sales. Or, in rare cases, those ministers are independently wealthy. Either way, the compensation of Christ’s ministers is clearly biblical and allows for other members of His body to participate in this blessed opportunity and receive rewards both now and forever (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, etc.).
Elders who labor in God’s Word which is sound doctrine, to feed His blessed flock, warn, and teach and equip them, are to be well compensated for this most infinitely important work Jesus prepared and called them out to do (1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18, etc.). Those who are fed by a ministry are to participate by funding that ministry (Galatians 6:6).
Every so often we receive a fiery message rebuking us for having to charge for the Scripture-rich materials the ministry has produced to help feed, teach, and equip Christ’s body.
KINGDOM PERSPECTIVE
Money collections to do GOD’s work are not a sin but rather an opportunity for God’s people to crucify, to put off the sins of greed and covetousness and to lay up treasure in Heaven as He commanded (Matthew 6:19-21; Ephesians 5:7-9). Also, to say that allowing people to support GOD’s work is wrong, is to declare Jesus to be a sinner because He had a treasurer which could only mean that people chose to support the work.
In Christ’s kingdom, what’s the most, the “MORE blessed” position, giving or receiving?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Perhaps we should ask the general question: Why don’t all Christian ministries just do everything for free? Answer: First off, only a very few ministries were begun by those who are financially independent. Many or most ministries are being operated by simply obedient, humble servants who are obeying Christ’s call for them to do His work.
Question to the Misguided Attackers: If you are so concerned about ministries being able to just give, give, give away everything for free then why don’t YOU write a check right now and give an offering to that particular ministry in question so they will be able to give everything away according to how much you give? Fair enough? Isn’t it time you became a part of the solution and not the problem … a contributor and not a detractor? … a giver and not a taker? …
Never be concerned about the LORD’s servants who are in need more than you are for the eternal souls who sit there and do nothing to support Christ’s servants and work. Those apostate souls are in great jeopardy of soul, make no mistake about that (Matthew 25:30; Luke 12:15-21; 16:19-31).
INTERESTING QUESTION RECEIVED:
“Hello Todd, I have a question for you and hope you will answer. I am not going to refer to anyone in particular but why would a preacher, teacher and that is a Christian sell their Books, especially when it is about the last days, etc? If a person wants folks to know, why would they sell? Thank you.”
REPLY:
Hello. Well, fair question. It’s real simple, one person (Christian, author, called out servant of Jesus) can’t possibly daily and endlessly study, write, collate, order, edit, publish, prepare and teach God’s Word, win and disciple souls, bring food and clothes to the poor, etc., and then work 8-10 hours per day and be expected to foot the bill ….. would he have time to sleep? Does God expect him to do such or has He set up a perfect plan for all His people to participate in and be rewarded for? Are you personally participating in that plan?
You are correct friend…. it is the last days and this is the reason even more so that all of God’s people must be about the “Father’s business” which is the Great Commission His only begotten Son gave us – to win souls and equip His blessed saints (Like 2:49).
For the record: The LORD be thanked for those few who do obediently support the His work in this late hour. This humble ministry has given away dozens upon dozens of books over the last 3 years. That money/provision has to come from somewhere, right? Also, appr. 150 souls have been won to Christ and are being discipled. God is good!
The true Christian author of today (New Testament scribe Matthew 13:52) is simply a divinely called out servant of Jesus Christ, a minister of His love and truth. That servant simply uses the book format to communicate to Christ’s saints and perhaps also lost souls.
As a called out servant, I would love to give the books our ministry has away for free. All we’d need is for you or someone else to make a substantial donation in order to underwrite the cost of doing ministry.
Now, I agree that giving everything away would be great and preferred. So, if anyone wishes to endow this ministry work or any other New Testament (Great Commission) ministry with a ample donation, please do. And, you are welcome to request that we begin to give away all the materials by using that money for such. That would be fair but until then, we will inch along.
Most people understandably do not understand how this all works and so it’s a blessing that this question has come in. In fact, we have gotten this same type question in the past. As a Christian author, let me say that the ministry has to pay for each book that is ordered. There’s not much profit per book and yet the profit goes to support so that we can “stay afloat” per se and be afforded the opportunity to continue doing Christ’s work. Some of us are homeless if that helps.
QUESTION:
“But doesn’t the Bible say to ‘Buy the truth and sell it not’? (Proverbs 23:23)”
REPLY:
Yes “Buy the truth and sell it not” is referring to obtaining, procuring, grabbing the truth and believing and owning it. That truth is not speaking of paying money for something.
People in ministry do not have a money tree. In fact, if a person is endeavoring to tell the whole counsel truth of God’s Word, they will most likely desperately need your support because not many will support because not many want the whole truth (2 Timothy 4:2-4). They only have what people give in most cases…..that’s the point…. being in true New Testament, Great Commission ministry is not at all to make money but rather to be able to pay for what was already paid for by the ministry and be able to get more Gospel communications done. People in the full time ministry usually have no money because they’ve abandoned themselves to the work of Christ, in obedience to His calling them out, and have little or no income. So for the called out minister to have to have all the money and do all the work is a ridiculous notion, No, in fact, their lack is the gift of God presented as an opportunity to those who know of that outreach….. so they also can participate. Problem is, most people have signed up for and waste most of the money God has allowed them to bring in and will give account before Him. If you read Luke 16:19-31 and Matthew 25:30 you will see that divine judgment will be severe upon those who do not use the LORD’s resources for His glory, that is, a portion of it. What happened to the man who buried – did not use – the resources the LORD gave him? (Matthew 25:30) This is why first portion/fruit giving is such a blessed opportunity. Prov. 3:9-10
OKAY, AS IS THE SUBJECT MATTER HERE, SOME ASK THIS QUESTION: “WHY CAN’T CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES AND AUTHORS JUST GIVE THEIR MATERIALS AWAY?”
My question in return is: Did you ask the managers at the movie theater why they didn’t offer their movies and snacks for free? If not why not? WHY do some believe, of all entities, that ministries should give everything away? How about the grocery store: Do these same people ask the store they shop at for food why they don’t give their food away free? If not, why not?
More questions …. WHY is it that some only expect the ministries of Christ to give away their materials? Where is this coming from? What spirit is behind this? WHY do some find no hesitation or problem with whoring out their wallet/money/checkbook to every peddler of temporal wares who comes along and yet balk when they see a Great Commission ministry that intends to take in a little money for the purpose of winning and discipling souls in obedience to Christ? And, this involves endless hours of labor?
If a person is going to ask the question as to why Christian authors don’t just give away for free all their materials, why wouldn’t that same person be asking why others aren’t giving away all their materials?
What do you do for a living? Do you work for free? Does the company you work for or own give everything away? Is that company and its product and service even considered important in contrast to the winning and care of eternal souls in Christ’s work of the Gospel?
I would ask those who have such a diabolical perspective: “Do you get some kind of sadistic thrill out of seeing God’s servants suffer?”
SAINTS, THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE, RIGHT? IF GOD’S PEOPLE GAVE AS THEY ARE COMMANDED TO DO AND WILL GIVE ACCOUNT FOR, DO YOU BELIEVE ANY GOOD NEW TESTAMENT MINISTRY IN THIS LATE HOUR WOULD HAVE LACK? WHOSE FAULT IS THE LACK? IS IT THE WATCHMEN OR THE PEOPLE WHO STAND BACK AND SAY “AMEN” WITHOUT PRACTICALLY SUPPORTING THAT NEW TESTAMENT WORK?
ANOTHER MESSAGE RECEIVED ON THIS SUBJECT:
“AMEN………..I know some excellent men of GOD who sell their books, but I also know that some of those men have offered those books free to those who could not afford it because they wanted to reach, preach and teach and it’s not about the money for them. My husband and I have no problem buying these books, it is a wise investment for us.
As far as wasting a lot of money eating out, well thankfully I cook better than most restaurants (everyone has gifting’s……praise the LORD this happens to be mine, hubby calls it the gift of hospitality too). We rarely watch anything because we don’t have cable, I dislike concerts or anything secular……the obvious thing is to invest in our spiritual growth and I truly trust the LORD to lead us to what we need to know. Give me a godly book, my morning coffee on my patio or sitting quietly in my room any day…….the rewards are endless in such a simple thing…….Praise the LORD. Pastor Randy spoke highly of one of your books …….ummmm Predators in Our Pulpits I believe or something like that.”
REPLY:
The apostle Paul clearly and outrightly makes the case for those who are called out to do the infinitely most important work in the earth to be support. Anyone who has a problem with that has greed and gold as their god and are in rebellion against the Almighty.
We must look from a much larger perspective than our own self-serving position or need or especially in respect to the many charlatans which reap millions of $ and buy mansions and expensive cars and church buildings, etc. There’s a world to be reached and the monies received from those who buy the books/materials help fund the GREAT COMMISSION Jesus sent us to accomplish. And yes those who contribute in ANY way are going to be rewarded eternally by Him (John 4:36; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
The monies received from those who buy the books/materials:
1) Support the minister (s) and ministries so they can pay basic bills and stay afloat (or try to) and KEEP DOING GOD’S WORK. Let’s get a clue saints.
2) That ministry/author/minister can give away books and materials for free to those who can’t afford the materials/books.
Those paying for those materials are contributing to the LORD’s MINISTRY WORK. If they don’t want to pay for it, then they have the choice to not buy the materials. Yet, those same people, perhaps, waste money on the god of self, entertaining and pampering that false god. Yet those self-righteous hypocrites balk to “pay” for a book that elevates Jesus Christ, the One they falsely claim to serve. Yet they don’t think twice to buy desert, expensive meals out, and many other things that have no eternal value. Utterly hypocritical.
For sure Laurellynne. Thank you for your reply. A disciple of Jesus who has labored in God’s Word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17-18) is worthy of double honor which means financial reward. That’s God’s Word (Galatians 6:6). So, for someone to pay 15.00 – 20.00 for a book that has taken that man many years or decades to produce is a very small price. Also, they can pass it along to help others. Now, the average Christian who drinks coffee spends 15.00 – 20.00 per week (or more) on coffee which has no godly or eternal value.
There’s nothing sinful about going to a restaurant or buying coffee, etc. Yet, we must examine ourselves if we have money to throw here and there and are tipping God or not giving to His work at all. That’s indicative of the lack of Jesus as first love (Revelation 2:4-5). My concern is for Christ’s flock and that they repent and obey Him in their stewardship for which He will bring them into account on that Day. See Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25. I could care less if some who are misguided take offense.
We should never abandon the truth because some have perverted it. For example: Some false shepherds have abused the sheep by teaching them false doctrine and leading them to do things for their own self-serving purposes (that of the wolves). This in no way removes the responsibility of the true under shepherds to rightly shepherd Christ’s sheep (1 Peter 5:1-6). In the same way, just because greedy wolves have made merchandise of the people (taken money to build their own kingdoms instead of Christ’s) in no way negates the LORD’s program and privilege to involve all of His people in His work. It is the privilege of the individual believer to contribute to Christ’s work. The Bible even tells us that “the LORD loveth a cheerful (hilarious) giver” and He even incentivizes us in that those who sow much will reap much (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).”
Money Tree?
Do you have a money tree? If so, please mail one here or at least the seed to grow one to the true New Testament ministries you know of.
The money has to come from somewhere and that’s exactly why God, from the beginning, set up a program where His people are privileged to give back to Him/His work out of which He has given them and then on top of all that, He is going to reward them here and in eternity. Study stewardship in Scripture and the Levites. Begin in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Those whom God Himself has called out to do the infinitely most important and only eternally substantial work in the earth are “worthy of their hire” which means they are worthy to be paid for what they do (1 Corinthians 9, etc.). When Jesus sent forth His disciples to do His work, He said “… for the labourer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7). In fact, in the days of the prophets, God’s people had forsaken Him and spent their resources building their own “ceiled houses” and “temples” (Haggai 1; Hosea 8:14). Read Malachi 3 also. The LORD was very angered and brought judgment on them. We see the same today. People who claim to be following Christ who spend the vast percentage of their monies on frivolous waste for their own self-serving entertainment and temporal comfort and give little or nothing to Christ’s work. This is a betrayal of the LORD who gave them the ability to earn that money and the opportunity to be a good steward over it (Matthew 25 – parable of the talents). Just think: If a small percentage of those claiming to be lovers of the truth and following Christ would give a certain percentage of the “firstfruits” of all they earn into God’s work (Proverbs 3:9-10) … then those ministries Jesus has called out could actually function, pay their bills, and perhaps give materials away.
STEP BACK AND CONSIDER THAT PERHAPS IT’S NOT THOSE CALLED OUT WHO ARE IN SIN, IT’S THOSE WHO ARE BEING FED BY THEM AND STANDING ON THE SIDELINES DOING NOTHING (NOT GIVING) WHO ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE SPIRITUALLY. I’M TALKING ABOUT THE OBEDIENT, HUMBLE WATCHMEN WHO HAVE AND ARE ANSWERING THE CALL OF GOD TO TEACH, WARN, AND PREACH TO HIS FLOCK (COLOSSIANS 1:28: ACTS 20:27-32; 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16, ETC.). PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE FEW WHO SUPPORT THE GREAT COMMISSION WORKERS IN THIS LAST HOUR BEFORE CHRIST’S SOON RETURN.
Reader, do you work for free?
Do you get paid for your work so that you can pay your monthly living expenses?
How long would you continue doing the work you do if you no longer were paid for it?
To that person who still has a problem with men of God being compensated, I would ask: Have you also complained that attorneys, plumbers, accountants, waitresses, and cooks also get paid for what they do?
Why is it that those doing the most important work in the earth are questioned over getting paid by the freely given love offerings of God’s people? Why is it wrong in the minds of some that those answering the divine call to serve can actually pay their bills? Paul had this same railing accusation and question and gave answer to it in 1 Corinthians 9:1-4. Go read that. Some reading this need to de-ignorantize themselves with this knowledge 😉
You see, it’s usually not the Christian author or minister’s fault that he can’t just give away books or materials. No, it’s usually the fact that he can’t survive much less thrive in the LORD’s ministry work due to the refusal of so many to give to Christ’s work. Does this include you? Are you giving regularly to the work of Jesus’ Great Commission? So many will read, learn, be convicted and rebuked by, be equipped for ministry, be sharpened and spiritually nourished yet have no heart or energy to give. Yet these very same people can perhaps be found wasting money on expensive daily coffees and many other frivolous wasteful spending. Example: $3.50 coffee per day x 30 days in a month = $105. They have monies to throw out and to commit to earthly things and yet haven’t committed to Christ by signing up to give a monthly gift to His work. Many who claim Christ as LORD won’t give $10 or $20 per month to Jesus’ Great Commission work. Where is their heart? Jesus tells us exactly where their heart is when He says: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Those who support the Great Commission of Jesus are few and yet so very important! Thank God for them!
Be sure of this: No true ministry work of Christ has the problem of having too much money. Regrettably those few who are truly doing His Great Commission work are starving … and won’t tell you. Don’t ask them. Don’t wonder. Just obey God and give to their work. They have to pay their bills too friend! What we do to them we are doing to JESUS (Matthew 25:40-46, etc.). May God give us a clue today in Jesus’ Name!
To those who don’t give or give a mere tip to God out of that which He has allowed them to bring in, the LORD would say …… “Consider your ways” (Read Haggai 1). If you repent and choose to begin giving, the LORD may just fill your barns so you can give more to His work. One man once wisely stated that “If God can get it through you, He will get more to you.” Consider Your Ways Audio Message
“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
Recap: You see, today, the divinely called out pastoral watchmen are starving. They can’t pay their bills due to 1) people claiming to be serving Jesus who do not repent and begin to steward the resources He puts in their hands His way, and 2) many give to false ministries. So, the called out disciple, called to not entangle himself with the affairs of this life can’t pay his bills – because God’s people (or those claiming such) are not giving to His work. So, the Gospel worker is left to do God’s work (never ending lines of people to be served) and also somehow come up with the money to pay his bills. This is not God’s program. Those who know true Gospel workers who are doing the Great Commission Jesus gave us and equipping the saints to do the same (Ephesians 4:11-12) are to give to those ministries. It’s sickening how people can throw money at renting movies, sun tanning, vacations, buying more clothes and shoes they don’t need, getting their hair and nails done, etc., and yet give nothing to the LORD’s work … you know, the nail scarred, risen Savior they claim to love ….
The LORD doesn’t give His called out servants a money tree…..they cannot get away from the divine calling and yet subject to the disobedience, the crass and ruthless omissions of His people who are rejecting HIM in their hearts …. if they were truly worshipping Him, there would be a cheerful giving back to Him of what He gives them – “ALL things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chron. 29:14). People have no idea the fate, the sufferings that have happened due to the lack suffered by answering God’s call. Ministry is a body operation where each member of Christ’s body does their part. The ministry here has a certain lady who faithfully gives and she thinks she is doing nothing and yet, she has no clue as to how that we have no money to put gas in the vehicle, to buy Bibles and Gospel tracts and food for the hurting unless she gives. She has no clue as to how much her part plays. I’ve laughingly considered getting a cheap body cam lately so she can get a glimpse of those being saved and saints being equipped and the hungry being fed, etc.
I’ve got a book coming out LORD willing that will touch on what happens when people don’t give ….. it’s a personal testimony and hopefully will wake a few up so they give to those who are literally doing the Great Commission….. instead of building their own church business, sitting in a stupid building, wasting tens of thousands of dollars (in many cases monthly) heating and cooling a building ….. no, Jesus, the apostles and today’s true, divinely equipped and called out workers go to the people instead of expecting people to come to them. Jesus left Heaven and came to us. He never told us to come to Heaven to Him. Such would be impossible. Think about this: We are to “Go” as He told us and to do as He did for us – serve the lost.
WATCHMEN ARE PEOPLE TOO AND THEY NEED MONEY TO PAY THEIR BILLS LIKE ANYONE ELSE. REGRETTABLY, IT SEEMS THAT SOME PEOPLE WANT THE LORD’S WATCHMEN PUNISHED ALL BECAUSE THEY ARE ANSWERING THE CALL OF GOD TO MINISTER HIS WORD. THINK ABOUT IT. WHAT SPIRIT IS BEHIND SUCH? THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO REPENT AND BEGIN DOING THEIR PART. THERE ARE SENDERS AND GOERS (ROMANS 10:14-15).
Jesus told us that unfaithful stewards go to eternal damnation (Matthew 25:30, 41, etc.). There’s a “certain man” who was once rich (temporarily in this short life) who has been burning in conscious torment in the flames of hell for some 2,000 years. Go read Luke 16:19-31 and find out exactly why that man is irrevocably in hell and in a million years will still be in hell, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7).
Each individual is granted by God the opportunity to be as the priest, the Levite, or the Good Samaritan. We must ask ourselves: WHO AM I IN THIS PARABOLIC teaching of the One I claim to be serving? Am I the priest, the Levite, or the Good Samaritan? God bless us to humbly and honestly examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). The priest and Levite (religionists without Christ) walked right by the man who was in need, making excuse as to why they were “justified” in not helping him. In contrast, like Christ and His few true followers, the Good Samaritan stopped his life and used his resources to help the man who had been ravaged by the world. The Good Samaritan asked no questions but rather simply jumped to the aid of the man in need. THAT man was JESUS – “Inasmuch as ye HAVE DONE IT unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
The priest and the Levite walked right by JESUS when they refused to render aid: “Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Mathew 25:45-46).
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 25:30
This week, a guy that the LORD saved a few months ago and is being discipled, called me. He needed a little money. Well, regrettably there’s not much in the coffer. We still gave it to him and yet, hundreds of dollars in bills have stacked up. The ministry is months behind on bills and this is not due to poor stewardship but rather due to the lack of funds. Anyone who gives is not doing God (or this ministry or myself) a favor. No, they are doing themselves a favor (Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 3:9-10, etc.).
If you are reading this message and claim to be seeking the perfect will of God, I want to exhort you to get before God and to repent of all bad stewardship, including endorsing and furthering the cause of hireling thieves who are building their own church business and using Christ’s name in vain to do so (2 John 7:1-11). Get your slate cleaned afresh saint (1 John 1:3-2:2). Then, find a true called out ministry and give. A ministry work that is glorifying God isn’t wasting HIS money on buildings and the upkeep of them. No, instead that ministry work is actually and literally doing the Great Commission Jesus irrevocably gave us (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47, etc.). In doing this alone, you will begin to be participating in HIS work. Stop giving HIS money to the wolves who do nothing more than entertain the unrepentant goats.
Regrettably, every worker on this planet gets paid for his work except those who do the infinitely most important work of leading eternal souls out of sin and eternal hell and into glory forevermore. Are you a part of the problem or the solution?
Go ahead and take your anger out on me. I don’t mind. You are actually in rebellion to the LORD Himself because He commands you to “give.” What He’s calling you to do is to truly repent before it’s too late. Your heart is out of His will if these truths convict you and the only wise response is to repent and change your ways. Attacking His messenger will not change your life or destiny.
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FEEDBACK:
“Well said with regard to the giving away of ministerial books for free. I think there’s another question that should be raised. Why are the authors who publish books that tickle the ears of God’s people by telling them what they prefer to hear about laying up treasures on earth being bought in the millions to become best sellers without questioning their cost of sale while those who are publishing truth of scripture that focuses on laying up treasures in heaven through warnings, corrections, and instructions in righteousness go begging and their authors are questioned about covering their costs of sale? Could it be that the vast majority of God’s people haven’t set their affections on things above but on things of this earth?
Those whose affections are set on the things of this earth, are focused on earthly pleasures, and laying up treasures on earth buy books which tell them what they want to hear regarding earthly pleasures and prosperity regardless the price because these books foster the carnal errors they hold dear which appeal to the lust of their flesh, the lust of their eye, and their pride of life. They don’t question the authors of these books regarding the prices they charge since these books readily support those things they want to hear. People are willing to pay the price for that which they value most.
If God’s people really had their affections set on things above and valued their eternal destination in heaven above a temporal 70+ year life span here on earth they would be more than willing to pay the price of a book which publishes the truth knowing that there’s nothing they have or will accumulate on earth that they can take with them into eternity where the treasures they have laid up in heaven will be the only assets they will enjoy on a forever basis. If God’s people had singleness of eye and would set their affections exclusively on things above and regard godliness with contentment as great gain rather than being in a lukewarm state by trying to serve both God and mammon, they could save more than enough money to buy the necessary books that will help them to lay up treasures in heaven and the question of cost would become moot.” Paul Roberts
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