Recognition

Recognition

1 Timothy 5: ¹⁷ The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain” and “Workers should be given their pay.” ¹⁹ Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or more witnesses. ²⁰ Rebuke publicly all those who commit sins, so that the rest may be afraid.

 

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After working hard for a long period of time, the project was finished. At the convention, the project was accepted well and people flocked to our booth. It felt great to get recognized when they gave our team an award.

 

• I felt good being recognized for my hard work.
• I felt appreciated for what I was doing.
• I felt honored.

 

Paul suggests recognition to Timothy. Recognize elders who do a good work as a leader, preaching and teaching. Unlike most leaders, this one stands out amongst the people as a true leader. Paul warns Timothy that some people may get jealous and present false accusations against the recognized elder. He suggests their sin be brought in front of everyone in a public rebuke.

 

My Observations

• Pastors, preachers and teachers who dedicate themselves to serving the LORD should be supported for doing so.
• GOD recognizes people who serve HIM without needing to be paid.
• GOD wants me to lead with integrity and not be concerned about being paid for it.

 

Recognition is great! I mean, it feels good to be appreciated and honored especially when unexpected. But what happens when no one sees what you and I do? GOD sees those who work from the heart.

 

HE is more impressed when I serve HIM in secret than when I seek to be recognized in front of many. HE also wants leaders to recognize other leaders who have dedicated himself or herself to serving the LORD and are doing it well. You will know them by their fruit. I gladly recognize those who serve the LORD with all their heart!

 

Challenge

• What is the writer recommending?
• Have you ever received recognition?
• How did it feel?
• Will you recognize those who have served the LORD with all of his or her heart today?

Value Proposition

Value Proposition

2 Corinthians 11: ⁷ I did not charge you a thing when I preached the Good News of God to you; I humbled myself in order to make you important. Was that wrong of me? ⁸ While I was working among you, I was paid by other churches. I was robbing them, so to speak, in order to help you. ⁹ And during the time I was with you I did not bother you for help when I needed money; the believers who came from Macedonia brought me everything I needed. As in the past, so in the future: I will never be a burden to you! ¹⁰ By Christ's truth in me, I promise that this boast of mine will not be silenced anywhere in all of Achaia. ¹¹ Do I say this because I don't love you? God knows I love you!

 

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“Would you like to buy some candy?’ were the dreaded words I heard from my boss. “It’s for a good cause” was the explanation. I dug into my pocket and bought a candy bar with the money I had planned for lunch. “I guess this is part of the game to get ahead” I thought to myself.

 

• I gave even though I did not value what I was giving to.
• I supported something because I valued my job and comfort.
• I added this cause to the list of many others I was being pulled into.

 

Paul speaks about this group not being charged for his services. He spoke to them, spent time with them and taught them something extremely valuable, namely the truth of CHRIST. But he did it for free. He brought this to their attention, not to guilt them, but to have them value what they got.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to value HIS servants.
• GOD wants me to support those who speak on HIS behalf.
• GOD wants me to understand the need to spread the Gospel everywhere.

 

Telling people about the Great news of JESUS is the most valuable thing a person can do. I mean, giving up the world’s pursuits to speak about JESUS is a huge step that the world’s structures fight against. Obstacles are placed in front of those who are determined to live for CHRIST.

 

“What will they eat?” or “Where will they stay?” are a couple of questions that come to mind. But in these days of many causes, supporting someone to speak about JESUS becomes noise. I have to make a choice at some point and support those who speak on HIS behalf or be the one who needs support to speak on HIS behalf. I am glad GOD has provided many people to support me as I was sent out to speak about JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What value proposition is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever gotten so overloaded with the world’s bills and structures that you could not see yourself giving money to those who speak on CHRIST’s behalf?
• Have you ever thought that maybe it’s you who need the support to speak on HIS behalf and need to pray about accepting HIS calling on your life today?

Why do it?

Why do it?

1 Corinthians 9: ¹⁵ But I haven't made use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this now in order to claim such rights for myself. I would rather die first! Nobody is going to turn my rightful boast into empty words! ¹⁶ I have no right to boast just because I preach the gospel. After all, I am under orders to do so. And how terrible it would be for me if I did not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I did my work as a matter of free choice, then I could expect to be paid; but I do it as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted me with this task. ¹⁸ What pay do I get, then? It is the privilege of preaching the Good News without charging for it, without claiming my rights in my work for the gospel.

 

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After punching out on Thursday, a feeling of dread came over me. I was supposed to be relieved because it was the weekend, but I knew I had to return to work on Sunday. “The only reason I cleaned toilets was because of the money” I said to myself.

 

• Getting a degree was my motive for finishing school.
• Getting a few dollars was my motive for being a janitor.
• Getting training and certifications was my motive for increasing my salary.

 

Paul speaks about the right to be paid for speaking about the Good News of JESUS. He did not exercise this right, though he could. Instead he called it a “privilege” because GOD entrusted him with this task.

 

• GOD wants me to give people the Good News of JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be excited that HE trusts me to speak about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be honored at the privilege of speaking about JESUS.

 

Being able to speak about JESUS is no boasting matter. GOD has given me an order to speak about HIS SON whenever and wherever I can. Paid or unpaid, it is a privilege that should not be taken lightly.

 

When I am motivated by “getting” I spend all kinds of time, money and effort to be what humans expect. But when I am focused on “giving”, GOD gets excited because HE has entrusted me with this honor. I gladly speak about JESUS, paid or unpaid.

 

• Is your life centered around what you can “get” out of it?
• Are your dreams and aspirations focused on what you should be “getting?”
• Will you ask GOD to guide you into what you can “give” instead of what you can “get” today?

Remove Obstacles

Remove Obstacles

1 Corinthians 9: ¹² If others have the right to expect this from you, don't we have an even greater right?

 

But we haven't made use of this right. Instead, we have endured everything in order not to put any obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ. ¹³ Surely you know that the men who work in the Temple get their food from the Temple and that those who offer the sacrifices on the altar get a share of the sacrifices. ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord has ordered that those who preach the gospel should get their living from it.

 

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“But I don’t have any money to get there” was my statement. “Don’t worry about that, we will pay for you to get there” was the reply from the company. “But I don’t have a place to live” was my reluctant reply. “Don’t worry. We will put you in a hotel for a couple of weeks to find a place.” I had no other barriers so I took the job.

 

• I have seen the world remove barriers when it came to making money.
• I have seen the world remove any excuse for not getting something accomplished.
• I have seen the world remove any obstacle to the success it wants to achieve.

 

Paul speaks about “those who preach the gospel should get their living from it.” He speaks about the Law of Moses that GOD put into place stating those who tend to the temple are able to eat part of the sacrifice. In other words, they received part of the donation. But Paul did not force this right.

 

• GOD wants me to remove barriers to hearing HIS word.
• GOD wants me to remove excuses to listening to the Gospel of JESUS.
• GOD wants me to remove obstacles to following CHRIST as the Savior.

 

Removing obstacles requires additional sacrifice to help immature or blind people see. I mean, when I cannot grasp how to do something, I sometimes need an example to show me how it is done, then I can do it willingly. GOD removed an impossible to overcome obstacle for me.

 

HE needed a sinless human to die for the sins of humans. JESUS, being GOD the SON, volunteered. HE became a human, was tempted in every way and did not sin. HE was murdered and was raised from the dead as the risen Savior. I am grateful HE removed this obstacle so now I can have an everlasting relationship with HIM.

 

• Are you within your rights, but these rights may be a barrier?
• Are you at a decision point where you have to choose GOD or “the right” which could be an obstacle?
• Will you temporarily remove any obstacle to seeing or hearing GOD so “those people” will someday mature to follow HIM on their own?

Value Proposition

Value Proposition

1 Corinthians 9: ⁸ I don't have to limit myself to these everyday examples, because the Law says the same thing. ⁹ We read in the Law of Moses, “Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain.” Now, is God concerned about oxen? ¹⁰ Didn't he really mean us when he said that? Of course that was written for us. Anyone who plows and anyone who reaps should do their work in the hope of getting a share of the crop. ¹¹ We have sown spiritual seed among you. Is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? ¹² If others have the right to expect this from you, don't we have an even greater right?

 

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Armed with a set of clubs purchased from Goodwill, I set out to learn how to play golf. Though I dreaded this path, I finally conceded. “You are going to use those?” questioned a colleague. He then urged me to purchase a name brand set of clubs and see his pro for lessons. “This is worth it because I will be playing golf with the higher ups” I said to myself.

 

• Many times I weighed the “value” of doing things.
• Many times I played out the “value” of my time to see if what I was doing was “worth it.”
• Many times I placed “value” on things that would make me more money.

 

Paul mentions something many people do not like to hear. Basically he raises the question, “Should those who preach about the Gospel of JESUS be paid?” He just finished answering some difficult questions about true service to the LORD and is now he is trying to mature everyone on placing value in supporting people who give their lives to GOD.

 

• GOD wants me to place the highest value on HIS word.
• GOD wants me to learn and teach HIS word.
• GOD wants me to value those who learn and teach HIS word.

 

Sharing my “material benefits” with those who preach and teach GOD’s word, needs to be at the forefront of my thinking. I mean, the same value I put into learning an industry that will make me money, needs to be placed on those who give their lives to humbly live for GOD’s service.

 

GOD places value on HIS word being “sown”, why shouldn’t I? The world values GOD less and less. BUT GOD sees when I place value in HIM, HIS SON and the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT. I am grateful GOD values me, so I value HIM and those HE sent.

 

• Where do you place your value?
• How much time do you spend talking about what is valuable to you?
• Will you shift your value to hearing GOD and supporting those who teach and preach HIS word today?

Have a Response

 

Have a Response

1 Corinthians 9: ³ When people criticize me, this is how I defend myself: ⁴ Don't I have the right to be given food and drink for my work? ⁵ Don't I have the right to follow the example of the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter, by taking a Christian wife with me on my trips? ⁶ Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to work for our living? ⁷ What soldiers ever have to pay their own expenses in the army? What farmers do not eat the grapes from their own vineyard? What shepherds do not use the milk from their own sheep?

 

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When I got off the stage I felt debased. I was invited to speak on one subject, but was ambushed with other questions I was not expecting. Unfortunately for me, I had no response. An audience member pulled me to the side and said “You have the microphone. Speak from your platform.” “What did that mean?” ran through my mind.

 

• There have been times when I was unprepared with my response.
• There have been times when I have been criticized and I did not have a satisfactory reply.
• There have been times when I have faced combative people and had no “defense.”

 

Paul felt the need to teach people how to defend their service to the LORD. He talks about some controversial topics that remain to this day. “Should a person get paid for speaking about JESUS?” And “Should the spouse of the speaker be taken care of too?” were probably the questions he addressed. He provided a “platform.”

 

• GOD wants me to speak about HIM and have other people support HIS work through me.
• GOD wants me to know it is alright to be supported by others when I dedicate my life to speaking about HIM.
• GOD wants me to have a response to criticism ready that still points people to HIM.

 

Rather than arguing, GOD wants me to be ready for those who criticize me for speaking about HIM. HE knows some people will not agree that JESUS is the answer because he or she may be too blinded by the world to hear that JESUS “IS” the answer to any and all problems.

 

A life dedicated to speaking about JESUS deserves life sustaining conveniences. Luxury items complicate what is life sustaining these days. BUT GOD knows all of my needs, wants and desires. When I align those to HIM, I am always taken care of. My response to those who criticize me for serving the LORD is “HE loves you and me.”

 

• Are you getting into arguments about GOD’s calling on your life?
• Do you get frustrated because you have to defend what GOD told you to do?
• Will you relax the need to argue and be prepared to pray for those who may not understand and teach those who do to support GOD’s vision HE has on your life?

Job or Faith

 

Job or Faith

Romans 4: What shall we say, then, of Abraham, the father of our race? What was his experience? ² If he was put right with God by the things he did, he would have something to boast about—but not in God's sight. ³ The scripture says, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” ⁴ A person who works is paid wages, but they are not regarded as a gift; they are something that has been earned. ⁵ But those who depend on faith, not on deeds, and who believe in the God who declares the guilty to be innocent, it is this faith that God takes into account in order to put them right with himself. 

 

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My schedule was from Sunday night to Thursday night. Some parts of the job were peaceful, others were a bit stressful. Like the time I had to clean “stuff” smeared on the walls toilet and floor. It put me behind schedule but I did it. When Thursday came, I could not enjoy the weekend because Sunday night was on its way.

 

• I have had many jobs in my life.
• I have showed up for each of those jobs, on time and ready to work.
• I have worked hard on each of those jobs and I was paid for it.

 

Paul gives an example that is widely known amongst Jews and Gentiles. Abraham was declared righteous by GOD because of his faith in GOD. Paul then explains that a person who is paid for work is doing it for the wages. But a person who depends on faith is doing it for GOD and HE will add this to the account HE keeps.

 

• GOD sees every act of faith I do.
• GOD knows when I am being faithful to HIM.
• GOD loves when I chose faith over doing stuff.

 

Acts of faith need no payment. I mean, when I am truly showing faith to GOD, HE knows when I have sacrificed to do something strictly for HIM and not for my well-being. But what about pastors, missionaries, priests and clergy’s? Aren’t they paid? Yes, some are supported by faithful people who use faith to give to those who have dedicated themselves to speaking about GOD.

 

Unfortunately, there are some who speak GOD and who do not believe in HIM. That is not for me to decide, BUT GOD knows. Getting back to faith. It can be shown in more than monetary giving. Faith is believing that JESUS died and rose for me. It also means telling people about this gift. I am grateful GOD enables me to show faith in HIM daily.

 

• What are you faithfully doing for GOD?
• How is GOD stretching you to grow for HIS purposes?
• Will you use more faith today and believe in GOD’s promise HE told you?

Church as a business

John 2: ¹³ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. ¹⁵ So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!’ ¹⁷ His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’

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Arriving on time, I sat waiting to hear a sermon at a church I visited. I expected the usual announcements, a couple of songs and then a sermon. The screen displayed book after book to purchase. The announcements were laced with events that cost money to attend.

Finally someone approached the stage who seemed like they were going to preach. They proceeded to talk about the new CD that was being developed that would be available for purchase. “I wonder if I should be selling stuff to this church” I thought to myself with a tempted feeling.

• There were times when I saw opportunities to make money from those who follow GOD.
• There were times when I felt comfortable with selling as a guise to “raising money” in the church.
• There were times when I looked at the numbers of those who attended a church and calculated how much money I could make if just a few people bought from me.

JESUS went into the temple courts and found people selling their wares. It probably seemed like a great business concept to sell sacrifices so that the church goer did not have to think about the difficulties of raising an animal. Low cost providers moved in with dishonorable sacrifices of doves to get money from the poor who couldn’t afford lawful sacrifices. All of this made JESUS furious!

• GOD wants me to view church people as money to HIM.
• GOD wants me to see church people as an opportunity to serve GOD as the final destination.
• GOD wants me to gather together with people to worship HIM and HIM alone.

Gimmicks to raise money more than likely infuriate GOD. HE performed HIS entire ministry without asking for a penny, so did John. HE does understand taking care of those who sacrifice their life to provide a gathering for people to worship. Give them food and shelter and help them tell people about GOD. BUT GOD does not need gimmicks. I am cautious of being comfortable selling anything in or to the church.

• Do you think GOD cannot survive without donations?
• Do you really feel GOD will stop existing if a certain amount is not raised?
• Will you put more trust in GOD by allowing HIM to move people around to spread HIS gospel without worrying about money today?