13/11/2023
If you're in ministry basically for what you can get, am glad to inform you that you're on a successful journey to becoming a false minister (be it an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist or Pastor etc). You'll compromise on morality, honesty, Intergrity, holiness, patience and other strong biblical standards just to become what God hasn't made you, go where God hasn't sent and take what God hasn't given you.
So many immoral, greedy and ambitious preachers are all over the place. Didn't you hear Paul's instructions to the minister?
1 Timothy 6:5-11 KJVS
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Many preachers have quoted this verse to warn their membership but note verse 11 carefully. "But thou, O man of God, flee these things". Which things? Exactly what he has been saying from verse 5. The book of Timothy is a pastoral epistle and 99% of what is communicated there is for Ministers (though believers must also study it for themselves). 1Timothy 6:5-11 is written to the pastor not the congregation. We are instructed as ministers to follow somethings of which the love of money isn't included.. We are to follow after righteousness (living righteously), godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Can we be honest with ourselves as ministers? Is this really our pursuit? If not, then we still have a chance to repent while we have the time. May we not build on sand and on the foundation that is not Christ. The Apostle warns us ministers:
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 KJVS
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
These things are no longer taught so many young ministers have become more materialistic than spiritual. We have exalted physical prosperity over soul prosperity, we have exalted increasing membership over discipleship, we have exalted what you can get in ministry over what you can give in ministry, we have exalted fame over a good name, we have exalted self over Christ, we have exalted programs and systems over the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we have exalted modernism over historical Christianity, we have exalted convenience over conviction, we have exalted success over spiritual growth, we have exalted church attendance over godliness. With this error in place, all things fall apart in the body. Because we will produce false converts, fake Christians, immatured believers, half baked believers with false hopes, invalid assurances and wrong motives knowing nothing about the truth.
Becareful if the foundation you're laying isn't on Christ but on you or your own ambition. He lists the quality of how we build on Christ. He lists six materials of which 3 abide when it goes through fire (ie. gold, silver and precious stones) and 3 that burn when it goes through fire (ie. wood, hay, stubble).
You may be healing the sick, working miracles, receiving many invitations, shaking the stages and receiving applauses from men but loose relevance in eternity. Paul rightly puts it:
1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT
[27] I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Oh yes there will be a lot of disqualified ministers. The Lord help us. Incase you may have forgotten, the qualification for ministry is still character, not gift, not anointing, not power, not miracle ability. These things are only spices and tools to make ministry advance with a sharp edge. Hear Paul on this qualification into leadership:....
1 Timothy 3:1-7 NLT
[1] This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position." [2] So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. [3] He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. [4] He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. [5] For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? [6] A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. [7] Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil's trap.
Don't forget this: Jesus first needs your heart not your money, not your praise or worship or offerings or tithes or seeds or even our service. If your heart isn't in alignment with Him, you will not corrupt yourself but the others that follow you.
Oh Lord, let us be instructed to follow your path and not create our own path. May we not do things because everyone seems to be doing it. May we constantly be surrendered only to you, saturated only in you and separated only unto you to live a sanctified life only in you.
Hope this blessed you? Let me know.
Isaac Love Pappoe
