I’m running with a very “different” crowd of friends these days…and it’s
changing my life.
Some of my new friends have no homes.
Some of them have no transportation.
Others are taking in widows and orphans with no clue as to how their needs
will be met…but they invite them in anyway.
Some of them are in third world nations while others are living out of RV’s
and cars packed full of everything they can carry, criss-crossing the good
ol’ USA.
Some live this way every day because it’s the best their government will allow
them. Others live this way by choice and are traveling with the bare minimum
out of necessity.
Some are so accustomed to doing without that, when given the chance to
request a blessing, their response is, “God is my Provider.” One might humbly
ask for a shirt. Others are “forced” to ask for money because they’ve just spent
hundreds of dollars on gasoline and were “blessed” with a mere $50 love offering
after they spoke.
As for me, I’m helping in very way I can. I know it isn’t much but little IS much
in the hands of God. I send eMail messages and make phone calls. My wife,
Barbara, and I – inspired by the example of others – now open our home for these
traveling ministers as they pass through. We’ve dedicated our home to the
Kingdom and that’s what we’re feeling led to do. I mentor others by eMail,
website and telephone as well. I mention that because it’s not only money
these people need. In some cases, however, it’s all we can do for them from so
far away.
CIRCUIT PREACHERS TODAY
It seems a shame to me that a minister should have to pass the plate after he
preaches and hope that his brothers and sisters will give him enough money
to fix their car’s air conditioner as they travel through America’s desert Southwest
(there’s a traveling family staying in our home right now in this exact situation;
last winter, a couple had trouble with their heater as they parked in a WalMart
parking lot, cranking the engine all night long to stay warm).
I don’t recall the apostle Paul ever requesting finances for himself – even though
he gave his stamp of approval for a person to make their living off the Gospel.
I could never understand why a man wouldn’t make his needs known to his
Church and expect to be “sent out” (the word “apostle” actually means
“sent one”). Better yet, The Church should simply KNOW that these people
would have needs and sow into their lives accordingly.
SOW SPARINGLY, REAP SPARINGLY.
So, what is OUR responsibility toward those who have laid it all down” for the
cause of Christ? What are we supposed to do as part of The Body of Christ?
Whether it’s a new set of tires, assistance in feeding a man’s family, Bibles or
funds to provide for an orphanage in a war-torn country, or a motorbike to
increase a minister’s efficiency as he tends to the needs of people 15 miles
around on hilly terrain, what role are we supposed to play?
My contention is that, once a minister makes his needs known, or once a need
is perceived by those who are listening to the Holy Spirit, someone needs to
write a check.
Simple enough? It’s not our money anyway. I often hear the excuse, “Yes,
Michael, but aren’t we supposed to be good stewards of what God gives us?
What if he’s a scam artist?” Such cynical comments are inspired of the devil!
I find it amazing how we can spend an average of $80 each time we take a trip
to the mall, “stewarding” God’s money in the most wasteful manner, yet
arriving at all kinds of clever, even spiritual-sounding excuses where advancing
the cause of Christ is concerned. Some of these traveling ministers are being
forced OUT of the ministry and into getting secular jobs simply because The
Church has failed to support the ministries God has given them. Ministry in one’s
workplace can be a very good thing – and these ministers WILL take advantage
of every opportunity – but ‘good’ is the enemy of ‘best.’
THE WHEAT AND THE TARES
Sure, there are hucksters and scammers and charlatans in every field. Always
will be. We’ve got to take the good along with the bad. Once again, whose job
is it to whip out the Flesh-O-Meter and determine who is carnally-minded and
who is being led by the Spirit? Will we use that same Flesh-O-Meter on
ourselves? How about using it on the preacher at our own Church? The choir?
How about those who toss a bit of money in the offering plate – are they giving
in the flesh or by the Spirit?
What we do with God’s money is between us and God. What the receiver does
with God’s money is between HIM and God. Whether they buy a bottle of booze
or a bottle of formula to feed an orphan, it’s not our concern. Many who have
given to some of the most high-profile, polished ministries in America were
ripped-off. How do we know that our favorite preacher isn’t a closet drunk,
a porn addict or a gambling addict? We don’t. God does and He is well able to
deal with His misbehaving kids.
The book of 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outside but God looks
at the heart.” God is so much more concerned with our character than our
comfort. His goal is to conform us to the image of His Son. We who live life in
these earth suits tend to judge everything according to our five senses. That’s
why we are to walk by faith and not by sight; we are so easily deceived by that
which sparkles. A baby will more readily play with a few shining dimes than a
crumpled old $100 bill.
OWNING UP AND GROWING UP
It’s time we, The Church, recognize the error of our ways and repent. It’s time to
grow up where our giving is concerned. We can waste our money buying
playground equipment, paving church parking lots and buying gargoyles for the
cathedral, or we can follow the admonition of 3 John 5-8 (AMP) which says,
“Beloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any
service to the [Christian] brethren, and [especially when they are] strangers.
They have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do
well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way
worthy of God’s [service]. For these [traveling missionaries] have gone out for
the Name’s sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the
heathen, the non-Israelites). So we ourselves ought to support such people
[to welcome and provide for them], in order that we may be fellow workers in
the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers.”
Read that again.
Must so many toiling ministers always come with their hat in their hand? Should a
man of God be so concerned with buying food for his children while he’s trying to
minister to others? Are we, The Body of Christ, able to obey the Head – Jesus
Himself – and simply respond when they make their needs known? HINT: They
have MANY needs. Rather than wait for them to ask, are we able to simply glance
at their itinerary, or their list of needs, and send them money they need?
Friends, it’s time that we matured where our giving to the work of The Church
is concerned. We’ve all been impacted by the shyster-ministers and are fed-up
with money-grubbing televangelists. But we mustn’t let the few bad apples
spoil the whole bunch. That’s exactly what Satan intended. Too many of us
have fallen for his deceptive scheme and are, instead, sowing God’s money into
buying all kinds of other things that moths and rust will destroy while we, at
best, toss a few bucks in the direction of God’s Kingdom.
If YOU would be interested in helping some truly committed, downright awe-
inspiring people as their needs arise, send me an eMail with the word “CASH”
in the SUBJECT Bar and I’ll keep you posted when needs arise. In each case,
these will be people with whom either myself or a friend in ministry have a
relationship on some level. That should put many minds at ease.
Thank you in advance for giving to the Lord. That’s exactly Who you’re giving TO.
I like this translation from The Message, Matthew 25:37-40: “‘Master, what are
you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and
give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to
you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one
of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me–you did it to me.’”
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
A servant of God