The making of a peddler Week 38, 2015

John: “Your words are hard. You call me a peddler but I am simply claiming what is due me. Who goes to war at his own expense? (1Cor9:7) Look how many of you on your own give money, I mean good money to the man of God without being motivated to it? Don’t you know the kind of age we are in? Must we beg? Or do you want us to be like the Levites in the time of Nehemiah? I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields Neh 13:10 (NIV). When I was not aggressive in raising funds my family starved, I could not discharge my responsibilities as a man and my family was constantly in tension. Those who I ministered to would just say “God will bless you.” They carry their tithes and offerings elsewhere whilst I through whom they got the breakthrough would be left to suffer. Is man of God to eat “God bless you”? Will it pay my son’s school fees or must I face such embarrassments? No way. I determined that must never happen. Those who earn salaries are not more intelligent or more deserving of their pay than we are. My dear you wrong me with your words. If we are dressed in rags will it bring God glory? Will men not be turned off the gospel by seeing us wretched and say “Their God cannot care for them. I can’t serve Him.” Besides we are getting people committed to God and getting them blessed. Whatever is given to me is a service unto God.”

Mark: The things you speak of are real sir. But I read in the Bible some of what Paul went through yet that didn’t change him. To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.  We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 1Cor 4:11-13 (NIV). Despite these conditions he faced that you are now fighting against there were souls won and discipled then and glory went to God. If we are not willing to put up with unjust suffering how will we prove ourselves true servants of God? And sir, sorry but your words show lack of faith to me. Yes lack of faith. You do what you do because you look at men, unfaithful men who are shifty to provide for you. Don’t you believe God of Elijah who commanded ravens to feed him? Have you forgotten what Mordecai said? For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place... Est 4:14 (NIV). Stop looking at men and focus on Jesus. He is your sustainer, and if men refuse and you die do you think God who multiplied oil for the widow of the faithful minister has ceased? (2Kg4:1-7) An approved minister would prefer to die. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast. 1Cor 9:15-16(NIV).  It is this fear of death that Satan uses to hold many in lifelong bondage: and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Heb 2:15 (ESV) Be free in Jesus’ name!