Mark 10:-29-30 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
Jesus’ disciples had given up everything to follow His will for their lives, and Jesus told them that they would receive a hundredfold during their lifetime, in houses, lands, brothers and sisters, along with persecutions, and they would also inherit eternal life. There is a purpose for the hundredfold on earth, and it is for the work of the ministry. When we are yoked with God and working with Him, have His Kingdom in mind and acknowledge that we are a steward of His money, then money will not be an idol in our lives.
John 13:29 (NKJV) For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
Luke 8:3 (NKJV) And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Jesus wasn’t poor when He was ministering on earth because He was supported by people. Jesus’ ministry was supported financially by those whom He had ministered to. For example, Joanna’s husband was managing Herod’s wealth and they were wealthy enough to give to the ministry. Jesus had more than enough money to support His team of twelve and also to give to the poor. Similarly, today God will also use those people whom He has entrusted with money to provide for the ministry.
Although we are not saved by good works, we are definitely saved to do good works! God has a heart for the poor and He will mobilise His body, which is the Church, to carry out His acts of mercy and compassion. Therefore, the supply of money from God will be funnelled through His body. There will be some who will be richer than others, and more responsibilities are expected when much is given to us. When we do not hoard money, but look at ourselves as stewards of God’s money, then we will be able to part with it easily to fund the work of the ministry, and when we have consecrated our lives and plans to God, we will be yoked with Him and want to support the work of the ministry. We will not allow riches to own us but allow the Lordship of Christ to instruct us on how to be a good steward of God’s money.
Sermon Series: Seriously?
百倍的目标
马可福音10:29 -30 耶稣回答说:“我实在告诉你们:凡为我和福音撇下房屋、弟兄、姐妹、父母、儿女、田地的,在今世不得百倍的得着房屋、弟兄、姐妹、母亲、儿女、田地, 并受逼迫,在来世必得永生。
耶稣的门徒为了跟随神对他们生命的旨意放弃了一切,耶稣告诉他们,在他们的一生中,他们会得到百倍的财产,包括房屋、土地、兄弟姐妹,同时也会受到迫害,他们也会承受永生。世上的百倍有一个目的,就是为了事奉的工作。当我们与神同负一轭,与神同工,心中有他的国,承认我们是祂金钱的管家,那么金钱就不会成为我们生命中的偶像。
约翰福音13:29 有人以为犹大带着钱囊,是耶稣对他说:“你去买我们过节所需要的东西”,或是叫他拿什么周济穷人。
路加福音8:3 又有希律的家宰苦撒的妻子约亚拿,并苏撒拿,和好些别的妇女,都是用自己的财物供给耶稣和门徒。
耶稣在地上服事的时候并不贫穷,因为他得到了人们的供养。耶稣的事工得到祂曾服事过的人们的金钱上的供养。例如,约拿的丈夫管理希律王的财富,他们足够富有,足以布施给教会。耶稣有足够的钱来养活祂的十二人团队,也有足够的布施给穷人。同样地,今天神也要使用那些祂托付以金钱之人来供养事工。
虽然我们不是因善行而得救,但我们得救一定是为了行善!上帝挂念穷苦人,祂会动员他的肢体,也就是教会,来执行祂的仁慈和同情的行动。因此,神所提供的金钱将籍由祂的肢体灌注下来。会有一些人比其他人更富有,当给予我们更多的时候当我们被赐与很多的时候,我们被期望承担更多的责任。当我们不为自己积蓄钱财,而是看自己是神钱财的管家时,我们就能很容易地舍弃钱财,去资助事工的工作;当我们把生命和计划奉献给神时,我们就会与神同负一轭,想要支持事工的工作。我们不会让财富占有我们,而是让基督的主权来教导我们如何成为神钱财的好管家。
讲章系列: 认真的吗?
Image Source:pixabay.com