THE DISCIPLINE OF THE CALLED 3
In the first year of ministry, a beloved one needed my help with a matter. I would have to make a call but all I had could only send a text. I sent her a text requesting that she should call the contact shared. She got angry and asked, “Are you saying you do not have money to recharge your line and call on my behalf first?”
I apologised that I had no airtime and that the only money I had in the office was not mine — it was a church offering. There was no way I was going to touch that. I apologised again.
Twenty-four hours later, I knew it was God that was testing me. Someone reached out and said, “The Lord told me to start giving 10000 naira monthly to the ministry”. I was pretty sure that if I had succumbed to the pressure of pleasing a friend just to appear “okay” at least, it would not have ended well.
If you have been called by the Lord to run a vision, please separate ministry resources from your own. You must discipline your appetite from the very beginning. There must be an accountability plan. Let there be a structure to take care of recurrent expenses. Let there be a plan for staff payment (you are likely the first staff). On no account should you use the ministry funds for personal use. Do not borrow it to return later. Do not dip your hands into the funds because of a family need. Build your faith for things you need also.
You are a steward, and a major requirement of stewardship is faithfulness.
I Corinthians 4:2 NKJV
[2] Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
If you are not disciplined enough to put structure, your appetite and indiscipline will choke the work.
Paul the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians about the administration of resources that was given for the work of the Lord:
2 Corinthians 8:19-21 NIV
[19] What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. [20] We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. [21] For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
It is important that you build the discipline required for doing what is right. Never lack financial discipline. Be orderly. Be sincere. Be a great steward.
temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa