PRAY|THE|REVOLUTION

You can listen to a short mobile podcast on this topic here:

We’re going to look at an interesting verse in a moment regarding ministry and money.  It’s important that we have a clear understanding on what our individual responsibilities are in regard to giving and receiving money.

Of course, we are all to tithe.  That goes without saying.  That money is designated for the use of our local churches, the storehouses.  That money cannot be used for other ministry purposes.  So, if that is the case, how does the rest of the Kingdom operate?  Let’s look at one particluar part of Kingdom activity.

Consider, for the sake of simplicity, two groups.  You are probably in one of these two groups: (There are a variety of functional ways our ministries can play out, and a variety of ways that finances are factored in.  We teach in our internship on finances and the importance of diverse sources of income.  For the sake of clarity at the early stage of this discussion, let’s look at this with a broad stroke.)

1. Full-time ministers– God is calling people out of the marketplace and into full-time ministry as intercessors, missionaries, etc.  Specifically, God is positioning people as intercessors and worshipers.  These people are to be free from the demand to work another job to earn money as that would compromise the call.
2. Marketplace ministers– There are many marketplace ministers in our churches– and each one is critically important.  Those who work at Starbucks, WalMart, as a teacher, a doctor, etc. are marketplace ministers.  A primary responsibility for each of them is to finance the full-time ministers.  So, both full-time ministers and marketplace ministers will tithe.  Additionally both groups will give strategically above and beyond their tithe, however marketplace ministers are intentionally working so they can be extravagant in their giving to the full-time missionaries.

So, if we were to really simplify this, it would be appropriate for a marketplace minister to pay for the mortgage payment of a full-time minister.  That way, both parties would be operating in full strength according to their calling.

Here’s the passage that’s so interesting (Take note of vs. 11 especially):

1 Corinthians 9:7-12 (NIV)
⁷ Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? ⁸ Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? ¹⁰ Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 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.

So, as full-time ‘soldiers’ the expense is taken care of by others.  It’s appropriate to reap the material harvest of the marketplace ministers.  Full-time ministers sow spiritual seed (prayer, service, etc.) and then reap the material harvest from others.

It’s important to grasp this principle so there can be both commitment and confidence in our roles.  Those who are full-time ministers need to be able to confidently ask the marketplace ministers for financial support.  If we are convinced that as full-time prayer missionaries, for example, that we are to be focused entirely on prayer, then we will be able to confidently communicate financial goals to our ministry partners.

How would this play out practically?  It’s important to include the adopted full-time minister’s expenses into your own budget, and then work accordingly.  So, as an example, instead of one mortgage, the marketplace minister may have to budget for two mortgage payments.

Or, maybe, above their tithe, they decided to pay for a full-time minister’s utility payment or for their monthly grocery bills.

A key point is this– marketplace ministers (everybody not in full-time ministry) are key to the Kingdom.  Every one of them should be intentionally and strategically and extravagantly be supporting not only their own family, but other families as well.

Now, as I stated previously, a full-time minister, who receives his income from the marketplace ministers, and who is free to pray and serve as a full-time job, is also responsible to respond to God as a giver.  They give above and beyond their tithe as well.  However, as opposed to the marketplace minister, their primary role isn’t to finance others, but it is to pray and serve.

Here are some other passages of scripture that help clarify the point further.  Sometimes it’s felt that full-time ministers should actually get another job to pay their bills, but this is not the most efficient method biblically:

1 Chronicles 9:33 (NKJV)
These are the singers, heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites, who lodged in the chambers, and were free from other duties; for they were employed in that work day and night.

Acts 6:2 (NIV)
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

2 Chronicles 31:4 (NKJV)
Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 31:16 (NKJV)
Besides those males from three years old and up who were written in the genealogy, they distributed to everyone who entered the house of the Lord his daily portion for the work of his service, by his division,

Ezra 1:4 (NKJV)
And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 12:47 (NKJV)
In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah all Israel gave the portions for the singers and the gatekeepers, a portion for each day. They also consecrated holy things for the Levites, and the Levites consecrated them for the children of Aaron.

1 Chronicles 16:37 (NKJV)
So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required;

So, marketplace ministers– prayerfully consider what full-time ministers you are called to support.  Amy and I would love for it to be us!  We are currently $1000 below what we need to pay the bills each month.

Anything above and beyond our goal goes right back out to other full-time ministers.  So, if we bring in $1 million next month, almost all of it will go right back out.

Be sure to listen to Amy’s teaching on finances and the spirit of Mammon.  It will set you free!  Go to www.praytherevolution.com/podcasts.htm. 

You can donate to us (tax deductible) at www.praytherevolution.com/donate.htm.

Be wildly blessed!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!