We need a complete change in our thinking about supporting the gospel work in this, our Nigeria. If we do not return to the pattern and practice of NT support for the gospel work, true Christianity may become a thing of the past in our land.
- God’s people will support the work of the gospel; it is our biblical responsibility.
Genuine gospel workers dedicated to the true work of the gospel are to be supported by God’s people. 419 religious dupes and rogues are not to be given one kobo.
God’s people should stop paying money to fake pastors and GOs who “in their greed, make merchandise of you with false words” -2 Pet.2:3. You are not glorifying God or supporting the gospel when you do.
Just stop this unbiblical practice of giving to religious liars and thieves as if you were giving to God. Hear rather what the Word of God says about giving for the gospel:
Lk.8:1-3: “And many others were contributing to their support out of their private means.”
Phil.4:10-19: “You have done well to share in my affliction…you sent a gift more than once for my needs.”
Tit.3:13,14: “Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. And let our people also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, that they may not be unfruitful.”
3 Jn.8: “Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow-workers with the truth.”
2 Cor.11:8,9: “I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia, they fully supplied my need.”
1 Cor.9:6-14: “Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?
“The plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you?
“Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share with the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” But note it well: it is those who preach the gospel, not preachers of Prosperity who are to be supported .
Rom.15:24: “I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you.”
Rom.15:27: “For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.”
Gal.6:6: “And let the one who is taught the Word share all good things with him who teaches.”
Lk.10:7: “And stay in the house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages.”
3 Jn.6: “And they bear witness to your love before the church; and you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.”
Then 2. The gospel worker may also work at a vocation when appropriate. Even the great apostle Paul did so, and he was not abandoning his heavenly calling by doing so. Laboring with your hands so as not to be living from offerings is commendable. Temptations arise to compromise the Word if you are totally dependent upon offerings.
Acts 18:3-5: “He stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent makers.” 1 Cor.4:12: “We toil, working with our own hands.”
Acts 20:34,35: “You yourselves know that these hands provided for my own needs and those who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
1 Thess.2:9: “For you recall, brethren, our labor and toil, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.”
2 Thess.3:7-9: “You ought to follow our example; we did not eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but with labor and toil we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example.”
And yet, 3. The gospel worker will suffer lack. The false message of Prosperity is a doctrine of demons. Do not let that confuse you into thinking that you will always be enjoying in comfort and have everything you want.
Even the Lord Jesus Himself hungered and thirsted and was often weary. Mt.8:20: “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
If the evil teaching of Prosperity were true, then apostle Paul himself had no faith. Hear his own testimony: 1 Cor.4:11: “To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty and are poorly clothed, and are beaten, and homeless.”
2 Cor.6:4-10: “In everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in needs, in distresses, in sleeplessness, in hunger, as poor, as having nothing.”
2 Cor.11:27: “In weariness and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and nakedness.”
Phil.4:11-13: “Not that I speak from lack; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means [to be abased] and I know how to live in prosperity [to abound]; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment: whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me within.”
Yet whether full or suffering with little: 4. The gospel worker shall do nothing to adversely reflect upon God’s ability to fund His own work. Soliciting or receiving money from unbelievers or questionable sources is a reproach upon Christ. Threatening people if they do not give is an abomination.
3 Jn.7: “They went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the unbelievers.” Ez.4:3: “Israel said to the people of the land, ‘You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God.’”
Gen.14:22,23: “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’”
2 Cor.2:17: “For we are not like many, peddling the Word of God for profit.” Ps.37:25: “I have been young and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread.”
Acts 20:33: “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.” 2 Cor.11:7: “I preached the gospel of God to you without charge.” Mt.10:8: “Freely you have received, freely give.”
Dear Listener, those who love Prosperity will always scoff at any who consider love of money to be an abomination in God’s sight. Don’t mind them. They will perish in their love of money. You, however, continue to serve Christ faithfully: you cannot serve God and Mammon.
Copyright Steve Phillips 2020