Money is ministry

this occured to me today, and I think it's really important. A lot of people encourage giving just because "God loves a cheerful giver" or "you will be blessed if you give" or "it is Biblical to tithe". All of these things are true, but they aren't the heart of the matter. Why is money referred to as seed in the Kingdom of God? Why is giving referred to as sowing? (2 Cor 9:6-15)

Instead of trying to understand giving in the context of sowing, let's look at sowing in the context of the Bible. Both Jesus and Paul use sowing seed as an analogy for spreading the Kingdom (eg Mark 4). The seed is sown into OTHER peoples' lives and bears fruit, through which we are blessed.

2 Cor. 8-9 describes the monetary gifts churches were sending as services. We often think of money as what is needed to fuel ministry. What we often forget is that providing the money for ministry and for those in need is a ministry in itself. Even if you can't sing, even if you can't lead or speak or evangelise many or train others, you can give. The giving is a service to God in itself, as worthy to God as those who play the instruments or give the messages.

So when you look at your tithe, do not look at it as something we must give, but as something you're giving to serve and have a part in. Sure it pays for other ministries, but simply by giving you are enabling people to reach their potential. That's real ministry, as real as any evangelist or other leader, and it's something we can all have a part in.

Compelled

Lately I've been thinly suppressing the work of God inside me. The thoughts rage, the world turns upside down, and I'm scared. Most people know the Holy Spirit as an inner counsellor and comforter, but I say He is a lot more. Lately, He has become an inner tormentor, for lack of a better word. I'd better explain this before I get burned alive: we all do (or don't do) a lot of things in our lives that we know are wrong. We learn to bend the rules and get these out of our conscience.

The Spirit has become my conscience in force, attacking agressively every thought that is not Godly and compelling me towards a path unknown and scary. Out of fear for where it leads, and a desire to not let my life fall apart I've managed to suppress it and carry on with commitments and needs in my life, but I'm not sure how much longer that will be the case. There is something inside me pressing to get out; something terrifying but undoubtedly good. There are so many worries stacked against it - what if I can't hear at the critical time? What if I'm totally unequipped to do what it asks? Does it take precedence over the rest of my life?

I keep wondering if this introspection is selfish, but this is far bigger than me. This is the Holy Spirit, my personal muse whose words reveal the state of my heart and the calling on my life. All the words I hear about other people! The suffering saved, the unsaved, the world God wills! I guess I'd better start praying for the confidence and willingness to reach them; this goes way beyond my comfortable faith level and out into the unknown, untested blue yonder.

Do you love me?

Let this be a lesson to those who say they call on the Lord earnestly, and to those who say they want to stop sinning. When you say to God, "Nothing in this world is as important to me as you! I want to do things your way instead of mine!" and you mean it, it will be tested. With fire.

God's answer to me was, "If you really loved me, you would walk like I did. You would follow my example. Look at these people walking past, going to the shops, waiting for buses; what would I do? You do that for a week or two, and I'll believe you."

I struggled with this, but as I really meant what I said, it only lasted a few seconds before I said yes. This is going to be a very hard thing for me to do, and a very bumpy ride. Apparently, that's why I have holidays. Excuse me while I go and space out in shock for a while longer...