MINISTERS OF LIBERALITY – ETHICS IN CHRISTIAN WEALTH

I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries. Prov 8:20-21 NKJV

RM and I have lived this verse. Others who love the Lord haven’t, not because the verse is not true, but I sense because of a stronghold of unbelief, that they consider that it is virtually impossible to have this verse come to pass. But the God of all grace laughs at ‘impossible!’ Let me tell the story…since I was sixteen and just filled with the Spirit, I have always worked toward the goal of being in full-time ministry. I got the call to begin in Africa when I graduated from Bible college (I suspect most of my regular readers know that story). When the time came, and I was forty, we gave away my excellent janitorial business and gave my house back to the bank. We had tried for eighteen months to sell the house, in preparation for the move, but the market was so distressed that we never got a nibble, among the thousands of homes on sale in the area. We emptied ourselves and gave away everything.

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV

But we did have the support of our friends whom we had ministered to in SoCal as we moved to Oregon to go fulltime with Lightbearers in 1996. Their love and support made all the difference! In Oregon we rented a home for five years for our family, then had faith to build a new home in 2001, all the while serving Him full time. As we worked for Him, He was working for us out of our sight, traversing the way of righteousness and the paths of justice on our behalf. He caused us to inherit wealth and filled our treasuries with definable results that allow us to live abundantly!

Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 2 Tim 2:7 NKJV

That’s an interesting usage of ‘justice’ in verse twenty-one. Justice is always symbolized by a woman with a blindfold holding balanced scales. The blindfold symbolizes that it doesn’t matter who it is, but that justice will be just. Jesus said that even giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty one will be recompensed. Justice doesn’t miss anything, and we see it manifested if we don’t disqualify ourselves through strongholds of unbelief. The balanced scales say that as we sow we reap, as we give we receive. Where the symbolism breaks down is that ABBA always gives MORE than we ever give, making the scales HEAVILY WEIGHTED in our favor. Do you see it?

47 And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Luke 2:47 NKJV

We need to grasp the relationship between faith and understanding. We tend to strive for faith when what we really need is to strive for understanding. It’s been said that knowing HOW is not as important as knowing WHY, because when you know why, you will figure out the know-how. Understanding brings the light that releases faith. Faith for wealth will come when you know why you should have wealth and understand how that wealth is to be used, to be stewarded. The Lord wants to give you understanding. Consider the scene of Ananias and the Lord…

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.  12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

Ananias gets an assignment from the Lord and he doesn’t like it. But, instead of quitting or complaining to others, he takes his complaints to the Lord, asking for understanding. “Shouldn’t this miserable person be suffering even more? Look at all he has done! WHY are You sending me to minister to him?” Ananias is seeking understanding. When he gets it, his response is “Ohhh…okay! I’ll go and do it in love!” Understanding allows him to respond to God’s call in love.

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.  16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house… Acts 9:10-17 NKJV

How do you define wealth? As we consider the ethics of wealth we must understand that wealth is a relative term. Someone once defined wealthy people as ones who have a lot of money, or ones that have no need, no lack. It’s also been said that success is not so much a reward to be enjoyed as it is a trust to be administered. We want to consider the stewardship of wealth AS A MINISTRY, specifically as ministers of liberality. God gives ministers of liberality a lot of money for them to wisely use to advance God’s kingdom. This goes BEYOND the tithe, which is required of all of us, to true Kingdom investment and accomplishment. Kingdom investment involves two things – advancing the Kingdom through evangelism, spiritual conquest, and building a Christian culture that carries on for generations to come. Both aspects of Kingdom concern are crucial for ministers of liberality to consider. The first century Church reached the world through spiritual conquest but failed to build a Christian culture in those lands which resulted in Paul losing Asia even before he died. But first, you say, show me the ministry of liberality!

…or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Rom 12:7-8 NKJV

Here we note teaching ministries, exhortation ministries, leadership and mercy ministries along with the ministry of giving with liberality. Note it doesn’t say, ‘he who tithes’ because tithing is expected of all believers. It says “he who gives with liberality” because this is a ministry of giving and investing in Kingdom purposes beyond the tithe, just like the others. I’ve had the chance to work with three ministries of liberality, one with whom I failed, but with the other two we walked remarkably well together, bless God forever. So, I can speak with the authority of experience for our own lives and in ministry regarding the ministry of liberality.

Let’s consider the ministry of liberality.

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48 NKJV

Satan’s strategies against fivefold ministries are basically lust, greed and drugs or alcohol. His strategy against ministers of liberality seems to be vanity and control. Ministers of liberality are tempted to want to control everything with their giving because that is how, they think, they made the money in the first place. Investment companies are aware of this so they tailor their products to make you think you are in control while all the time they are taking their 3% annually. Vanity comes in when you buy a $100K car, a depreciating item,  when a $40K car will get you there just as fast, safely and comfortably – then you can use the $60K saved for the Kingdom. Jesus said, to whom much is given, much is required. I think about this all the time considering what I have been given, both materially and spiritually. All the time! The great tragedy of any life is to get to the end of your life and have nothing to show for it in eternity!

Now, let’s consider how to make ministers of liberality successful in the Kingdom.

The nine gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians Twelve are the practical tools for the workman to make any ministry successful. The gift of the word of wisdom shows us how to solve  problems on the micro level and the macro level. The gift of faith shatters the idea of ‘impossible’ and brings the Kingdom of God to earth to the blessing of all. The gift of tongues prepares the way for all the other gifts by strengthening the inner man, building faith and meeting the requirements of intercession for the will of God to be manifested. In the nine gifts of the Spirit, and the guidance of the written Word, every believer has everything they need to be successful and blessed in every ministry.

The minister of liberality must cultivate the application of the gifts of the Spirit habitually, daily, hour to hour and many times moment to moment. Air Force officers are trained to do everything with a sense of urgency. Officers in the Kingdom of God would do well to heed their example. The minister of liberality has money to shepherd and invest in the Kingdom. How do they do that wisely? Remember that the minister of liberality is concerned about two great challenges – advancing the Kingdom through spiritual conquest also called evangelism and creating a Christian culture that maintains the Kingdom for future generations.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NKJV

Wisdom is how to get things done, solved, accomplished, how to get from A to B, how the promises of God are manifested. The word of wisdom is the revelation gift that imparts that solution. This works effectively on a personal level as well as a ministry, macro or worldwide level. The minister of liberality must learn to listen and hear God’s voice. This is a school of the Spirit lesson that only He can teach you. But we can give you exercises that put you in a position to learn to hear His voice in a safe and relatively stress-free environment that encourages results. After they hear God’s voice, then they must be careful to do what He says. ABBA speaks very specifically in a detailed manner if you will be calm and listen. One of the great themes of all of Scripture is to hear God’s voice and do what He says. This is the essence of practical Christianity, and it must be learned and practiced with a sense of urgency. A life wasted is full of days that are wasted. The clock is ticking and lives are on the line!

Five-fold ministers MUST BE in relationship with ministers of liberality for BOTH to succeed. How can a minister of liberality bring Kingdom investment if there is no vision and leadership to invest in? How can a vision be fulfilled in the material world without material support for the vision? The ministry of liberality is a power ministry, and fivefold ministries are power ministries. Power unchecked produces pride, which is why we fail. If power ministries can come together in humility, selflessness and love we can accomplish the visions of God for all people and all generations.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt 28:18-20 NKJV

My heart breaks for the lost – you don’t know how this vision burns in me – and my heart is burdened for my grandchildren of which I have five here and two more that I am ‘uncle’ to in Uganda – seven in all. As a fivefold minister I must be in relationship with ministers of liberality so that we can impact our present world and future generations with the vitality of the Kingdom of God. We can’t do this alone, neither you nor I. We must come together in wisdom, selflessness, humility, courage and love to bring the blessing of God to all peoples everywhere. Amen? Love you!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…