Living Wisely and Generously

“Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 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? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? 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.”

I Corinthians 9:7-11

It is not wrong for those who minister full time to be supported through the giving of those they minister to.

Where we have often gone astray in all of this is where human nature takes us – to excess!

When a ministry impact grows and the numbers of those we minister to grows should we take more and more for ourselves and allow the lifestyle to become more and more lavish?

I believe the answer is ‘no’.

God is not opposed to wealth – we need look no further than many of the Patriarchs.

But we must be aware of what our calling is and what our witness to others is.

A wise heart will accumulate much and a generous heart will share.

Surely we can expect to be supported by those to whom we minister but should that support include extravagant homes, boats, jets, lavish and frequent vacations, etc...

We must be careful to remember both our priorities and purpose in life.

When God blesses us greatly we do not abdicate our role as wise stewards of that blessing.