A fully trained professional soldier is well cared for with the basic things of life. The only way he can become extra wealthy in worldly assets is to compromise his profession, selling his talents to the highest bidder; then he is called a mercenary! His loyalty belongs to no individual; he fights for money, not to protect and serve! The Apostle Paul, speaking to his spiritual son Timothy, says this in 2 Timothy 2:3-4…
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
When the bible speaks concerning the doctrine of Balaam it is referring to a ministry that sold himself out for gain. This doctrine was denounced by The Lord Jesus and the apostles; they stood firmly against it. Why? Because this doctrine is the cornerstone of what is commonly called ‘sloppy grace’. True grace can never be sloppy; it is revered by all those that have actually been forgiven by it. Grace only becomes sloppy when it is contaminated by those looking to merchandise it for self gain.
In saying this, I have nothing against the prosperity message. We need bread Fred, doe Joe, money honey, to do the works He has called us to do. God will prosper a genuine ministry! However, not everything that comes into the offering plate or every business opportunity should be considered personal income of the minister. I have known ministries that will work a few hours on Sunday and just a couple everyday for the rest of the week. They take a very generous wage and spend their remaining time doing business deals, playing golf, fishing, hunting and sleeping. They use their position to generate personal wealth, and not wealth for the kingdom. Jesus was so angered by this that He sat down, wove a whip, and then proceeded to drive all those that did this out of the temple!
The type of heart The Lord is looking for in the saints is revealed in Paul’s words when he says in Colossians 1:9-14…
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Let’s live worthy of Him!
Scripture reading:
For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance–[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.
Hebrews 6:4-6 AMP