Dependance On One Another....Written by Mike
In a day when we pay tribute to the individual who can make a success of themselves and become financially independent, we are confronted with the reality of the New Testament. In the New Testament we are reminded of the interdependent nature of the Church.
I was reminded of this recently in a conversation. People have often asked why I don't get another job and support my family. The answer? We are called as a family to live by faith. I had a full time job, but had to make a choice when God opened the flood gates of ministry to the homeless.
If every follower of Christ were financially secure then half of the Church would be unnecessary. In I Corinthians 12 Paul gives us the picture of the Church as the body of Christ. EVERY PART is NEEDED and EVERY PART is DEPENDENT on the other parts. There are NO independent parts of the body.
In the Church God has ordained some Christians to make a good income, while others have been called to live by faith. Those who are called to live by faith must depend on the giving of those who are called to make a good income. Those called to make money are dependant on those who are called to live by faith so that they can fulfill their ministry of giving. BOTH are NECESSARY and BOTH are NEEDED in the Church.
There is much work needed to be done in the Kingdom that requires a full-time commitment whether it generates income or not. There are many people in the Bible called to leave security behind and live by faith. It seems like a wonderful thing that they did that,we look at their faith and look up to them, but we tend to think someone is off their rocker if you see someone do that now and we tend to not ever think of doing that ourselves. Acts 4 gives us an example of the Church made up of rich and poor. Those who had possessions sold them. The money was then given to the poor and there were then no needy persons. May we realize that those called to make money and those called to live by faith are dependent on each other for the glory of God. What an awesome gift God gave us of being able to work hand in hand together.
posted by Angela @ 11:24 AM
5 Comments
5 Comments:
This is very true. What I'm really learning about right now is the faith involved on the giving end. At least at this point in my life I feel more called to support. But I also feel called to be at home with my kids. So we are living on my husband's salary, which while it's not what I would call poor, it's also not wealthy by American standards. And lately, God has really been challenging us to increase our giving beyond what we should be able to do. So we are in a place of giving by faith and we are getting to see God move in the lives of others and also provide for our needs in such a miraculous way. Really cool!
Thank you for sharing this. That is so cool that you are living by faith in what God has called you to do. Keep up the good work! If we would all do what He has called us to do and work together, it would just blow our minds to see lives change and God at work.
Where does the verse about a man that doesn't take care of his family is WORSE than an unbeliever fit into your "plan"?
We are all called to live by faith but this doesn't mean not to work! The Bible teaches that if we don't work we don't eat!!!
This is certainly a legitimate question. We must keep the scriptures in their proper context. Paul, in making the statement you quote, is speaking to a church that had some lazy men in it. They weren't living by faith, but were plain unwillingly to work. They were not doing any ministry, but sitting around doing nothing. We need to remember that some men in the Bible were called to leave their career and live by faith for God to meet their needs, even when they had families to provide for. The disciples were commanded by Jesus to quit their jobs. Peter had a family, and apparantely the others did too as Paul made the statement to the Corinthians that the other Apostles had families. So, they were called to leave their secure income and trust God to take care of their family financially. Too, Paul told the Corinthians that he and Barnabas were the only ones among the Apostles that worked another job, and that was only part time (I Cor. 9). In I Corinthians 9 Paul is defending himself and saying that he would rather work a job than charge the Corinthians for his service to them. Keep in mind that Paul was single and could work another part time job to meet basic needs, but the other Apostles would not have been able to as they had families to care for and their ministry.
Too, you commented that if we don't work we don't eat. Many, including myself, who live this life of faith work more than when we held a regular job. What do we do with Jesus' comment in Matthew 6 that we are not to run after food and clothing like the pagans do, but are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to us?
Mike - I love your post. I truly believe in what you are doing and Gina and I will be helping you financially from Guatemala whenever God allows us to do that. I am praying that many, many, many people will read this and will commit to become monthly partners of the Davis' family. I believe what you are doing in Biblical, Christ-Centered, and totally following the core of the heart of Jesus. Don't be discouraged, don't be afraid, God is with you and has called you to do exactly what you are doing. Steve's baptism is a testament to that fact and can't be replaced by making a huge income. God bless!!!
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