Jesus fed a multitude with few loaves of bread and fish; it is interesting to know that the bread and fish didn't come from heaven, but were provided by a little lad; not even a wealthy individual. Why? God is interested in our participation in his program on earth. He c
an send bread from heaven like he did when he provided manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness. However, if he does that always, it would close the door for us to experience the joy and blessings of participating in his program on earth.
Imagine the joy the little lad experienced when he saw the impact of his gift on five thousand people. It is difficult to actually fathom the joy unless you have done a similar act before to promote a kingdom project. In every generation, God's program prospers only through a few individuals, who like the lad, can generously allow God use their “loaves and few fish” to reach the multitudes.
Jesus was God in the flesh, but he still needed to do what God asked him to do with the support of seemingly unexpected individuals. That brings me to the second point. Why not a rich individual? This is my take based on my experience for over two decades of ministry. Most sacrificial givers are not really rich in the financial definition of rich, but individuals who are rich in love and faith.
In the times of Elijah, it wasn't a rich and wealthy individual that God used to sustain the prophet, but a poor widow. In the days of the spies in Jericho, it wasn't a rich woman who kept the spies, but a poor prostitute. When Jesus was talking of the one who gave the most sacrificial offering, he spoke of the widow's mite. The examples are endless!
The question is; why are the rich poor givers? Well, there are some few dedicated rich givers, but the "poor" give more than the rich. Some rich people give to control and impose their will on those they give to or to gain position as a result of their gift. Others give if their names would be mentioned by the one they give to. Reasons why, some rich people give is endless, but most at times, "self" is always the hidden motive behind. Since God doesn't share his glory with man; he always uses the "poor" because they have no interest about promoting themselves and to gain position and the other things some rich people clamor for.
Is this message intended to put down the rich? Not at all! My goal is to let us know that, God uses unexpected individuals to promote his work than those we may consider his favorites. Today, in some quarters of the church; people are promoted not on the basis of their faith and love for God, but on the basis of their wealth and at times, these same people become a problem instead of a blessing.
Some rich brethren do what they like and come to church and leave when they want. For the church to regain her authority, she must stop allowing people's wealth to determine promotion into places of leadership. The attitude of promoting people in church on the basis of their financial and material wealth leads to the appointment of novice, who ends up becoming hard nuts with unruly attitudes to the detriment of the image of the church.
If Jesus used the little lad yesterday, he can do the same today. Those who want to use their money to gain influence, control and freedom to live as they want should better be allowed to take their money elsewhere. It will take this kind of firmness to rid the church of “lords” who are gradually taking the place of the Lord of lords in his church. Let the revolution begin! DrBenard Etta
Imagine the joy the little lad experienced when he saw the impact of his gift on five thousand people. It is difficult to actually fathom the joy unless you have done a similar act before to promote a kingdom project. In every generation, God's program prospers only through a few individuals, who like the lad, can generously allow God use their “loaves and few fish” to reach the multitudes.
Jesus was God in the flesh, but he still needed to do what God asked him to do with the support of seemingly unexpected individuals. That brings me to the second point. Why not a rich individual? This is my take based on my experience for over two decades of ministry. Most sacrificial givers are not really rich in the financial definition of rich, but individuals who are rich in love and faith.
In the times of Elijah, it wasn't a rich and wealthy individual that God used to sustain the prophet, but a poor widow. In the days of the spies in Jericho, it wasn't a rich woman who kept the spies, but a poor prostitute. When Jesus was talking of the one who gave the most sacrificial offering, he spoke of the widow's mite. The examples are endless!
The question is; why are the rich poor givers? Well, there are some few dedicated rich givers, but the "poor" give more than the rich. Some rich people give to control and impose their will on those they give to or to gain position as a result of their gift. Others give if their names would be mentioned by the one they give to. Reasons why, some rich people give is endless, but most at times, "self" is always the hidden motive behind. Since God doesn't share his glory with man; he always uses the "poor" because they have no interest about promoting themselves and to gain position and the other things some rich people clamor for.
Is this message intended to put down the rich? Not at all! My goal is to let us know that, God uses unexpected individuals to promote his work than those we may consider his favorites. Today, in some quarters of the church; people are promoted not on the basis of their faith and love for God, but on the basis of their wealth and at times, these same people become a problem instead of a blessing.
Some rich brethren do what they like and come to church and leave when they want. For the church to regain her authority, she must stop allowing people's wealth to determine promotion into places of leadership. The attitude of promoting people in church on the basis of their financial and material wealth leads to the appointment of novice, who ends up becoming hard nuts with unruly attitudes to the detriment of the image of the church.
If Jesus used the little lad yesterday, he can do the same today. Those who want to use their money to gain influence, control and freedom to live as they want should better be allowed to take their money elsewhere. It will take this kind of firmness to rid the church of “lords” who are gradually taking the place of the Lord of lords in his church. Let the revolution begin! DrBenard Etta
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