Guidelines For
Evangelists
All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age
(Matt 28:18-20, NIV).
An evangelist in Kenya, recently called
by Jesus to 'go' with the gospel and truths of God, wrote to me about what
God had given to him in a dream. It was this:
In my dream last night we were in a
hall with all your representatives from all countries. In that hall there
was some water with sugar cane. And some more sugar cane was there.
I, you, and some brothers were at
the door with water in our hands and we were giving a piece of sugar cane to
everybody who came into the hall. After an hour the hall was full with
people singing and dancing with joy.
After that, I saw you Malcolm with
two loaves of bread. You were giving this bread to people.
I heard a voice telling me "Nxxxxxxx,
do you know that this man is a prophet of God?" I didn't answer that
question
Again I heard the voice asking me
the same question "Nxxxxxxx, do you know that this man is a prophet of God?"
That time I answered "yes I know." And at that time you were in white
clothes shining like the stars.
As I awoke I praised God for what
happened and what I saw.
My response: About your dream of
17th April 2004. The probable interpretation follows each part.
In my dream last night we were in a
hall with all your representatives from all countries.
This shows that God has called you to
be a part of the outreach of Midnight Ministries, in your own area. You are
included in the worldwide outreach. There are many others whom God is using
in various quarters of the world.
...in that hall there was some
water with sugar cane.
The water represents the Holy Spirit
and the sugar cane the sweet things of God (His truths and instruction which
are an exhibit of His love for all people).
And some more sugar cane was there.
Perhaps you mean a lot of sugar cane.
If so, that is an allegory of just how much wonderful truth God has given
this ministry to share with others.
I, you, and some brothers were at
the door with water in our hands and we were giving a piece of sugarcane to
everybody who came into the hall.
A pictorial likeness of what God is
doing through us, and you, in the spirit. He wants to share His truths (in
'our' publications) with others.
After an hour the hall was full
with people singing and dancing with joy.
Many people will come to know God, and
experience that joy of being accepted by Him, through 'our' literature being
distributed by you and others.
...after that I saw you Malcolm
with two loaves of bread. You were giving this bread to people.
Sugar cane does not have much food
value. In fact, if you eat a lot of it, it is harmful. A lot is actually a
poison to the body. It will damage teeth, and deplete the body of energy, as
well as needed vitamins and minerals. Sugar is sweet, but it reduces calcium
levels in the blood, and can lead to sickness, for the reasons already
stated.
By contrast, bread is the staff of
life. It has more food value. People need feeding properly, and very much so
in the spiritual area. God is portraying 'our' teaching materials as this
bread that can give people something proper to eat spiritually.
At first, the benefit you are receiving
through 'our' publications is likened to sugar cane. It has immediate
appeal. As you get further into devouring what is written, it will be more
like bread to you and others.
I heard a voice telling me "Nxxxxxxx,
do you know that this man is a prophet of God?"
If you read Prophets and Prophesying
and other leaflets or articles in which the purpose of prophets is
explained, you will see why God was pointing this out to you. It's not to
glorify me. I am nothing. By contrast, God is everything. But the function
or calling of a prophet is to deliver what God has given to him for the
benefit of others. As they accept him and his message from God, they accept
the One who sent him (Matt 10:39-41), and they benefit proportionately.
Where people have spurned me (my office
as a prophet of God) they actually spurn God, because He has appointed me as
a prophet. They fail to benefit from the message God has given through us.
They are not benefited by the revelations which God has provided in His
great love for you and all people.
I didn't answer that question.
This depicts your relative ignorance at
that stage. You didn't know what to say, because you didn't understand why
He was saying that. But...
Again I heard the voice asking me
the same question "Nxxxxxxx, do you know that this man is a prophet of God?"
That time I answer "yes I know."
God is showing His complete
foreknowledge of how you will respond positively to what you read. Because
you will accept me as a prophet of God, you accept Him and His truths that
He has given us.
...and that time you were in white
clothes shining like the stars.
That symbolises the wonderful righteous
reward God has awaiting, not just me, but you and all who will accept Him –
because of what Jesus has done for us all. [End of explanation.]
What Was The Dream For?
The dream
above portrays, in outline, several facts to the recipient:
1) The man's calling from God
to evangelise;
2) My appointment from God as a prophet (so that he can realise that what MM
teaches is not ours as such, but inspired by God);
3) The spiritual value of our ministry's materials;
...besides all the
other specific points mentioned in the explanation.
Where God gives dreams and other prophetic revelations,
it is to highlight what is being overlooked, or to emphasise aspects that
are not given sufficient emphasis, or to reveal what would not otherwise be
grasped, or to convey knowledge and understanding that you need to take note
of, to confirm and consolidate God's truth and purpose.
Humanity is consigned to spiritual ignorance until God
gives His revelation. God-given dreams are a vital aspect of the prophetic
work on earth which God is doing today. These are the days of 'Elijah'. Just
as Elijah stood before the people as His mouthpiece for righteousness, God
is restoring His righteousness among His people. Likewise, He also uses
prophets today who are commissioned by Him and who speak for Him.
The dream above highlighted his need to recognise and
take note of what God has given me in this ministry. That's not for my
benefit, but for his, and for the good of all the people to whom God will
now take him.
Need I say that it is also in your interests to heed the
same admonition?
God has been preparing him through several years of
learning and growth. He is ready to 'graduate' and reach out to others,
sharing the truth of God with them, so that they can come to Christ and know
God's love. The dream was confirmation of his appointment, and
encouragement before 'setting out'.
When you are sufficiently committed to God, and prepared,
you too can 'go'. So, don't be surprised if you receive a dream or other
revelation confirming what He wants to do with your life to benefit others.
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few! (Matt
9:37, NIV).
God Speaks Three Times!
Prior to that dream he had had one
other. God was pointing out to him what He intended to do with his life.
After he wrote to tell me what God had given him in that vision, I replied:
Thank you for relating your dream. In
the explanation that follows, your description in bold is followed by
'my' explanation:
I saw you in Migori market preaching
the gospel. Many people surrounded you to hear what you were talking about.
I will not be there in person. The dream may depict how others will take
the message to that location by taking 'our' publications there.
After that you called me to come and
help preach the gospel.
That is your calling, too, from Jesus. Notice Matthew 28:19-20 is a
commission that involves EVERY disciple who is willing and able,
not merely the first ones whom Jesus trained. You are being trained by Him
though 'our' publications. If you are not familiar with this truth, read
Just What Is The Work? and Witnessing For Christ.
God gave us many people.
The response. God backs up those who 'go' for Him in sincerity and unselfish
dedication.
On the day after that, you guided us
into a very beautiful room.
[This depicts the heavenly reward which Jesus promised us all in John 14:2.
This will come later. First we all have to do Jesus' will on earth, as is
explained in 'our' publications. They show the way to eternal glory.]
When we entered that room, Helena,
Tonya and Zenya welcomed all of us with a smile and invited us to sit in
beautiful chairs, then they served us with a very nice meal. We were all
very glad and ate with gratitude.
[This depicts how H, T and Z have all helped by their work and efforts to
make this literature available to you, so that you can partake in the
spiritual feast that the publications contain for those who will 'eat' what
they contain.]
You took a very close look at my
meal and encouraged me to eat more. Your face was shining when you did this.
When Moses came down from Mt Sinai, his face
shone because he had been in the presence of God. I have been in the
presence of God while writing MM publications.[1]
I couldn't write them of and by myself. God moved me in what was written,
hence the imagery of my face shining. My taking a close look at your meal
symbolises how I have paid attention to detail in some of the particulars of
doctrine which I have written about. Those are 'fine details' of the faith –
to do with Sabbaths, holy days, new moon celebrations and other aspects
summarised briefly in Wielding The Divine Axe – which many other
Christians are not aware of.
I was surprised to see you serve a
meal to so many people, and I was thankful to God and praised Him.
This depicts the many people who will
benefit from what God has had us write. It will not be just a small work.
Soon, after the dead are raised, it will be a worldwide work and reach MANY
people! Millions!
That is the dream which God gave me
three times.
Three depicts finality in God's
workings. We are very close to the end of this age in relation to its
overall history. There are only a few more years left; very few! It's time
to get to work and to work diligently for Jesus! The Kingdom of God awaits.
God Prepares You
When Jesus called the first twelve to
'go' and represent Him, He trained them. They learned from Him. He showed
them 'how to do it'. He also equipped them. After He taught them the truth,
He gave them spiritual power to help and deliver others from spiritual
oppressions.
He does the same today. He prepares
you.
His intention was the perfecting
and full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should
do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)
(Eph 4:12, Amplified).
Whatever God does, He does in love for
His people. That same love for others MUST be the underlying motive behind
your ministry.
I have known people who 'minister' for
selfish reasons. There is very little of Jesus in their work. They don't
deliver people. They merely bring them into another type of bondage –
bondage to them.
I have seen others who have gone out to
minister out of pride and desire for self-elevation. The devil goes with
them wherever they go. They lure their prey into another pit, to join them
in their own darkness. It's sad.
For you – who are privileged to have
this opportunity of serving the King and helping prepare those whom He has
called to reign with Him in glory – it doesn't have to be like that. It
certainly shouldn't!
Here are some guidelines for true
ministry.
1. Get Down Into The Starting
Position
If you are humble, you can start from the
right foundation. It's a foundation that no one else can lay – Jesus Christ,
the Chief Cornerstone. He has shown you how:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus, who... made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant...
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death... (Phil 2:3-8, NIV).
With that approach, you don't need to
be concerned, "How will I cope? Will He provide?" Of course He will! He
never fails. God will uphold the needy who fully rely upon Him. It's a
promise. Notice:
On this one will I look: on him who
is poor [needy] and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word (Is
66:2).
For thus says the High and Lofty
One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy
place, [but also] with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive
the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones (Is
57:15).
These are enemies of true ministry:
pride; desire for self-elevation; wanting to be noticed; seeking attention;
wanting pre-eminence, prestige or 'position', to be important; competition;
hypocrisy; jealousy; resentment against others; gossiping; lying, deceit;
laziness; hostility; self-seeking or egoism; and lust for power or money.
God cannot use people with such traits.
They are tools of the devil.
2. Let Jesus Live In You
It's not surprising, but you can only take
Jesus to others if He is in you to begin with. Too many have 'gone' on their
own, fuelled by a desire for prominence or some demented motive.
There can be only one true motive for
ministry in Jesus' name – Jesus Himself. Jesus said:
I am the Vine, you are the
branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without
Me you can do nothing (Jn 15:5).
However, if you are truly humble and
don't think highly of yourself, then His Spirit will have found a home
within, and He will be able to use you to take Him to others.
3. Love Others
Jesus showed His immense love for us all in
His life and His death.
As the Father loved Me, I also have
loved you; [so] abide in My love (Jn 15:9). If you keep My commandments, you
will abide in My love... (15:10). This is My commandment that you love one
another as I have loved you (15:12).
What sort of love was this?
Self-sacrificing! Serving. Caring.
Greater love has no one than this,
than to lay down one's life for his friends (Jn 15:13).
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you (15:14).
These things I command you that you love one another (15:17).
4. Trust Him
Without faith it is impossible to please Him
(Heb 11:6). So, please Him by simply trusting Him.
I get letters from evangelists who
haven't yet learned to trust Him. They write to me, looking to me as if I
were their source of supply. I'm not. Jesus is. And when you trust Him,
He'll prove it to you. He won't do it before.
You've got to put your life in His
hands. When you do, you'll find out just how immeasurable is His love, how
great is His foreknowledge, and how immense is His ability.
But you can only do that after you have
begun to take the first steps – of laying down your life, and of
accepting His humility; of giving up your ambitions, and
accepting His; and of sacrificing your desires to put His first. When
you start doing that, He takes control of things.
He gives you revelation – dreams,
visions, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophetic words – whatever you
need so that you know what to do, and how to do it.
As you walk, step by step, relying upon
Him, He walks with you. And when you can't walk because it's impossible by
human means, He carries you. But He will only do that after you have put
your hand in His, like a child holds the hand of the strong Daddy he trusts
unwaveringly.
5. Look To Him Continually
If you don't know what to do, ask Him. But
generally, He will make His will known before you ask Him. Usually, He is
waiting for us; not the other way around.
After He has shown you what He wants
you to do, don't waste time. Get started immediately. Vacillation,
indecision, or procrastination are weapons the devil will try and employ to
thwart you.
When you get going, don't look back.
Keep going. Don't give up. Work hard. And keep looking up. Keep looking to
Him.
Lacks
Not surprisingly, one of the major obstacles
we all face is lack. Lacks of all sorts can deter you. It may be lack in
your own ability. Don't worry, Jesus makes up for that. He will strengthen
you, so that your weaknesses or shortcomings don't hinder His work through
you.
I have lacks and shortcomings in my
personality and my abilities. We all do. But they don't have to prevent God
one bit. I have found that He creates a course of ministry that He knows you
can cope with. He doesn't take you into situations which would be too
daunting for you. And when you think He does, you'd better get your thinking
straight, because He's just about to prove to you that you can do it
– with His help.
If you want to fear He'll 'frighten the
living daylight out of you', like He did to Israel at the Red Sea. So, don't
choose to doubt or fear. Make your decision now beforehand, that whatever
situations He takes you into, you set your will to face them, regardless of
what you want to do or how you feel inside, and irrespective of what you
think you can do.
I never imagined that one day I would
be allowing Him to write through me, to teach and help others to fulfil the
highest calling in life! But that's what He's done, because I was willing to
'go', to submit to the calling He chose for me. And He will do His will with
you, too, if you:
a) Rely
upon Him, look to Him, and trust Him.
b) Don't trust men or fear men.
c) Don't fear the spiritual enemy or those used by Satan.
d) Work hard, persevere, and don't give up.
e) Don't look for a reward for yourself.
Money
Another major area of lack is money. The rich
ministries are often the ones that have provided what their hearers wanted
to hear. It's relatively easy to 'con' people, if you are a 'con' artist.
But we are not in that 'game'. We are not here to massage our hearers' ears.
You are to preach the truths of God,
without fear or favour, without deviating from what is right, and without
compromise. Because of that you may not have a ready financial reward in
this life. Money may well be in short supply. But don't worry, God does
provide.
God could open the windows of heaven
and pour out barrow-loads of banknotes, couldn't He? He doesn't do things
that way, of course, but He could. And there are good reasons He doesn't.
So, don't fret for lack of money. Just accept it and make the best use of
what little you have. Use it properly, wisely, and frugally. Don't waste it.
Better is a dinner of herbs where
love is, than a fatted calf with hatred (Prov 15:17).
Better is the small offering of love
like the widow's mite than the donation of a glutted millionaire with
strings attached.
Where there is need, there can be
humility, carefulness, thrift, gratitude to God, and dependency upon Him.
So, don't despise the day of small things. Remember the mustard seed.
Whatever God begins, begins small, but grows big in time.
I have seen evangelists get
mega-thousands, only to get puffed up by it, and blow out in their
exhibition of opulence and pride. They planned great campaigns to reach the
masses. They strutted their stuff on stage. They preached with vigour and
verve; they pranced and performed. They spent huge sums making a big splash
in the sea of humanity. But the surface soon returned to normal, because the
Spirit was not stirring. Their impact was like a brick thrown in a pond –
short-lived and soon forgotten.
Money doesn't make success. God does.
They failed because they sought acclaim
for themselves more than for Christ. They drew attention to themselves. They
loved the elevation.
That's not God's way.
Do you think they will be saved? No.
Learn from Matthew 7:15-23.
So, why be disappointed that He has
planned something less damaging for you? If it were essential for you to
always have sufficient money to do what you think you need to do, He would
supply it. The fact that He doesn't is often because it would be bad for you
if He did. He doesn't want to lose you, while He's saving others.
He will provide your needs, not your
wants. So, learn to be wise in handling what He provides. (Some tips on this
later.) But never forget, if you look to God like Abraham did, God will
provide! He doesn't fail!
A man wrote to me some time ago, asking
me if he could have our publications on computer disk so that he could get
them printed in his own country. (It's much cheaper than sending them from
here.) I was only too happy to oblige. But I had a little question in my
mind. Naturally I wondered how he was going to pay for such a large
operation – especially in Africa!
I waited for his inevitable request for
assistance... But it didn't come! (A rare man indeed. He looked to God, not
to me.) I was surprised. When I found out the reason, he said God had spoken
to his heart about doing this – because he perceived that God had put an
anointing upon 'our' publications; they were life-giving vectors for the
Spirit.
God had also spoken to his spirit about
how He would achieve this impossible task. He told him that He would
cause someone to pay for it.
That's what God has done with us, time
and time again. When you step out to do what God shows you to do, He makes a
way. First you have to step out in faith. Like Peter stepped out of that
boat, you step out into the unknown and into the area of the impossible. You
just look to God and follow His directions. The better you do that, the
better He can provide for you and put your mind at rest. He will give you
words of knowledge, dreams, or words of wisdom to know what you need to
know. And you can just get on with doing the physical aspects of your
spiritual calling.
And it works out because you do.
6. Use The Publications
The man I mentioned earlier saw the spiritual
value of what we have printed. He was sufficiently attuned to the Spirit to
perceive. Too many are not, and they miss out on the massive possible
benefits.
I have mentioned in What God Said
About Midnight Ministries some things which God said to others about MM
publications. One man was told by God that He has put an anointing upon
'our' writings, like He did with the biblical writings. That is because they
are written by divine decree, for a divine purpose. So God 'anointed' them.
In one sense, God had to, because humans just can't do such things alone.
It offends many arrogant ears to hear
this. Consequently I have been accused of arrogance for the claim, even
though it is what God has said to others, not specifically to me, other than
by inference in dreams.
One man accused me of having
're-written the gospel'. It's a pity he can't tolerate that God would do
something elsewhere, other than through him.
If he only had the humility like some
others, to be willing to learn from what is written, to correct himself on
his doctrinal errors, to change his concepts where they are proved wrong,
and give credit to someone else for a change, then he would benefit.
Instead, he regards Midnight Ministries as a threat, a subversive element,
unwelcome competition, and he labels me a false prophet. All because he is
arrogant, unteachable, and jealous.
By contrast, those with meekness are
willing to take what is written and share it, duplicate it, distribute it,
as well as learn from it. And they are blessed, really blessed in their
deed. Why? Because they are spreading the anointing of the Spirit.
If you take something inspired by the
Spirit – as the Holy Bible is – and pass it on to someone else who is hungry
for spiritual truth, the Spirit transmits to them. It infuses them. It
energises them. It teaches them.
That's just a fact of life, and it's
what happens when you give or lend to other hungry hearts MM publications or
leaflets. They are an avenue for the Spirit to go right inside the mind and
heart of that person, and touch them, change them, convert them. That's why
you should make full use of these writings, and make them the central core
of your evangelism – not for my sake, but for His sake.
I don't want any 'glory'. I didn't
write them, even though my fingers typed the keys. And those who are of like
mind only want to get them into the hands of others, because they too don't
want glory for themselves. They care for God's truth and they love people,
and want to share God's truths with them, because:
If you abide in My word you are My
disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free (Jn 8:31,32).
7. Don't Look To Us For Support
What I mention here goes beyond the principles
already outlined in:
Faith – Raising Our Level of
Expectation,
Witnessing For Christ,
and
Lessons in Faith.
So, if you have not yet read them, I
suggest you do.
The first one explains how you can
learn to have your level of faith raised so that you can trust God for
anything. The second gives a practical explanation of this in the context of
reaching out to others with God's truths. And the third gives some lessons
learned from other evangelists who have gone before us, walking this faith
road.
As an evangelist, called by God, not by
me, you are to rely on Him for spiritual guidance and material help, not me.
All I am here to do is to convey what He has given me, to you. That
responsibility has cost me immensely. We have had lack of finance for years!
So I appreciate your lack of money – that is virtually inevitable. Remember
Jesus' words:
The harvest is plentiful, but the
workers are few! (Matt 9:37, NIV).
The term 'workers' includes money
because that's what workers produce. It's always in short supply for true
servants of God.
Independent evangelists are aware of
their own predicament, but few understand ours. They think we are flush with
funds because of what they see us produce. Appearances can be very
deceptive!
We have been in short supply – very
short supply, so much so that we have jeopardised losing all, to do this
work for God. Your position will be similar. God knows. So, don't worry
about it. Just look to Him.
However, God, being the practical Being
that He is, lets YOU find the way to pay by your own efforts. He waits until
you use up all the possible means you have at your disposal before He
performs a miracle to deliver you. This happened to the apostle Paul. He had
to work (1 Cor 4:12; 9:6) to pay the price for the failure and negligence of
the Corinthians and other believers who were not in the will of God (1 Cor
9).
Is it right for you to ask me to
support you financially? Is your calling more important than mine that I
should pay you? Those who ask us for help, don't think things through.
Should not I be rewarded for the service I provide to you and to other
believers via our publications, as Matthew 10:10 indicates? If so, instead
of you asking me for money, shouldn't I be asking you? (But I won't do
that.)
Why is the Scripture turned on its
head? Should it be, just because of the (wrong) perception of believers in
poor countries, who think that because Britain is 'rich' compared with
Africa and India, that a servant of God in Britain should be supporting
Africans, or Indians? (Oh that I could!)
Those who think that have no idea what
we have to do to make this work of God viable! We have SACRIFICED! So should
others who want to enjoy the same spiritual benefits from God. There is
no blessing without sacrifice. That's where many in Africa and India go
wrong.
They look at the physical, instead of
the spiritual. They don't see THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. Some don't fulfil their
responsibility in giving. They expect us to do the giving, even when we have
nothing. When they have nothing, they ask us. But when they have something,
they don't consider helping us. It's a one way street, and that's the
problem.
When they turn their motivation around
and do the giving as well, then they would see the Hand of God deliver them
like we have seen it deliver us. One of the first lessons you must learn is
that giving is better than getting. Ironically, it is the avenue of receipt
from God:
Give and it will be given to
you... For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to
you (Luke 6:38).
The pioneering missionary of 100 years
ago, C T Studd, said aptly:
Use what you have for God and don't
wait for what you haven't got.
That's right. Get going. Don't wait for
money. Don't wait for people. If God has called, answer His call. Of course,
use wisdom, but don't let physical, material or human factors deter you.
Don't look to us, look to God. He WILL
provide for you, as you learn to trust Him and follow the lead of His Spirit
in all you do.
Read Witnessing For Christ,
especially chapter 5 and you will see more of what I mean.
8. Don't try to set up 'your'
church.
I won't say much on this topic, because it is
covered in various other leaflets such as Dismantling Churches,
The Last Outpouring of the Spirit, Fierce Persecution and the
book Meetings With Jesus. Your task is not to form an organised
'church', but to bring people to Jesus and teach them how to follow Him
without having to rely upon you or anyone else.
9. Some Practical Tips
Make the Literature Central Because of Its 'Anointing'
I have mentioned that the literature we have produced should be central
to your outreach. That is because of what God has revealed concerning its
production. It is 'anointed' by God. I don't say that I have conveyed
everything perfectly. There may be minor mistakes. But overall, certainly in
the major aspects, it is without error because of God's plan for it. Being
'anointed', it carries the Spirit of God to those who are receptive. That's
why I say use it. Not because of me. I am only a vehicle, like you. A
carrier to take to others what God has given. Thank God for His truths! They
are liberating.
OK, so what do you do? Do you photocopy
as much as you can and give it away? That's up to you. You have to decide,
using wisdom, if that is the right approach. If you don't have any funds
whatsoever, and no means to duplicate, then you can't do that, can you?
But you could loan people items of
literature and encourage them to do that with what means they have. Some
will have funds to be able to duplicate. Others can copy by hand. If they
really value what they read, and want it that much, they will do this. It
takes some of the load off you and onto them, and it's scriptural for each
of us to be industrious.
When Jesus healed people, He often
asked them to DO something in order to receive. As people demonstrate by
their actions whether they really want what God is offering them, God
blesses them. So, they are blessed more by doing what they can, than
if you did it all for them.
If you need money to make literature
available, but don't have it, then the literature will have to wait, won't
it? (That is, until people rally to help you. God can bring people along to
assist.)
"But I thought you said, use what
you've got and don't wait for what you haven't got." Yes, but you have got
to use it in the appropriate manner. That's why you have to 'listen to the
Spirit' to know whether God would have you use the money in such a way.
It cannot be overemphasised that the
proper USE of money is pivotal to success. If you are foolish and give
everything away 'willy-nilly', you will be giving things to people who don't
care for truth. Maybe only a small minority will care. So it will prove to
be a very expensive operation, and you will let the wicked drain you.
A man in Nigeria received a box of
literature and went out giving everything away without asking God what he
should do. He assumed he should just give all the publications away to
anyone and everyone. Most of them were wasted.
God does not work like that. He is
selective in what He does. Didn't Jesus say something even stronger?
"Don't cast your pearls before pigs!"
Learn to listen to the Spirit and
follow divine directives. God will speak about many things. He won't tell
you what you should be able to work out for yourself. So use your mind as
well. But let Him influence that.
Libraries and Lending
Why give away copies to others when you can't afford it? If they are not
going to reimburse you, then lend them the leaflets or booklets. Ask them to
give them back when they have finished reading them. Most people either
throw the truth away or demean it. So be wise. Don't waste precious
resources. Once they are gone, they are gone. I can't get them back any more
than you can.
In communist China, where Bibles are a
sought-after commodity because they have been banned, zealous hungry
believers share a Bible between them. Some may only possess one page. But
they treat that page like gold. They protect it with their life, and copy it
for others. Where truth is scarce and forbidden, it is much more highly
prized.
Those who really want it will pay the
price to have it.
Should I Go Into Debt?
In this ministry, we went into debt because
God showed us before- hand that we would have to. It was part of our test.
He gave us a dream and prophetic words to confirm it. But for most it's not
advisable. Ideally, don't go into debt, unless God definitely shows you to
do so.
Listen To The Spirit
Make sure that, in listening to God, you don't
follow human hunches, but are receiving correctly, with confirmation from
reliable people who are submitted fully to God, or from independent
witnesses.
What If I Make Mistakes?
If you make mistakes, don't worry. Just get up and carry on. We all make
mistakes. And God forgives. But forgiving a mistake does not reverse the
results of that mistake. If you go without because of mistakes, you can't
blame God or anyone else but yourself. You have to live with the
consequences until such time as God helps you out of the hole you dug.
Financial Dilemmas
If you have a financial dilemma, share it with your brothers in the
faith locally, to see how you can resolve the problem amongst yourselves.
When the early Church did this, they sold their possessions to provide for
those with greatest need (Acts 4:34,35).
You can't look to us. All we can do is
make truth-loaded literature available. For that we have paid a heavy price.
So, don't add to our burdens, please! Look to God in your own situations,
and as you learn the faith walk, He will show you how to cope.
More Information is provided in
Witnessing For Christ, particularly chapter 5 of that, Meetings
With Jesus, and also in The Bible Speaks, Vol 1, under
Following God's Spirit (p 36) and Giving Up Self-Will (p 41).
In Summary
1. Be
humble. Don't let wrong motivation prompt you.
2. Let Jesus live in you.
3. Love others. Care for them. Have their interests at heart.
4. Trust Him to provide for you.
5. Look to Him continually. Rely upon Him in all things.
6. Use the 'anointed' publications as much as possible.
7. Don't look to us for your financial support.
8. Don't try to set up 'your' church. Teach people to be independent.
9. Follow the lead of the Spirit. Listen to the Spirit as you 'go'.
And God will be with you! Jesus says to
you:
I chose you and appointed you that you should go and
bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the
Father in My name He may give you (Jn 15:16).
Malcolm B
Heap |