Present day Churches and Ministries' have classified the
servants of God based on popularity, familiarity and power. As clothes of
Jesus were divided among the people by casting lot (Matthew 27:35) today
the glory of God is forcefully divided among common people. This stolen glory
has elevated some to think they have descended from heaven and are angels.
A quote so aptly puts the intention - "In the
Christian world, leaders are in danger of using their callings as a cover-up
for self-actualization or “wish fulfillment”. In those places, our dreams
become our rights; our popularity determines our success; our needs can become
our necessities; and our celebrity is interpreted like it’s an anointing,” Saxton.
If you notice, the Bible records a little summary of Jesus'
intention while he narrated the parable of tax collector. "He also told
this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and
looked down on everyone else:" (Luke 18:9 CSB). We know in the
parable, who was accepted at the end. Actually, the whole Bible focuses its
attention on the ones who are humble at heart, despised and insignificant. It
is the people today, who exalt some on the throne and make them God and
lower others to a doormat. Paul questions in his book to Romans this way, "So
why do you condemn another believer ? Why do you look down on another
believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of
God." (Romans 14:10 NLT). These are some of the ethical
issues that Church and His children need to fight against. And mind, we
all will have to stand before the Judgement seat. All glory belongs to Him
alone while it is said, “I will not give my glory to another.” (Isaiah 48:11
CSB).
People of God and people in the ministry, do not rob the glory
of God. Remember Barnabas and Paul when they were treated as God after they
healed a man who never walked (Acts 18:9), they immediately responded
and reacted. In fact, the Bible records, "The apostles Barnabas and
Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd,
shouting:" (Acts 14:14 CSB). How many are willing to deny for themselves
the royal treatment and advocate for the ones who do the ministry in
difficult areas and are surviving with much difficulty?
Jesus when talking about John puts this so beautifully- "I
tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least
in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Luke 7:28 CSB. Though John was
counted so special but even the least will be greater in the kingdom of God.
Today, it is so sad to see how even certain ministries and
preachers are given extra importance over some who do a great ministry. They
impact people yet are not accepted and supported because they do not hold a
high status. Stop displaying partiality, drawing importance one over
another. Sometimes these ordinary people are making a significant impact
through their ministries.
These are some hard truths no one dares to address. James in his
book articulates it blatantly, especially when he points out how we treat
someone who is rich and someone who is from a low status. "haven’t you
made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
James 2:4 CSB.
Find out the ones who are making the best opportunity to impact
the people with the gospel and extend your support rather than giving all your
resources to the one who is already obscenely rich always strategizing to
attract more support. Let me make a point here. Some are given a false hope
that they can fulfill the Great commission by solely supporting
financially. This is not true at all. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 1:16 "For
if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to
preach — and woe to me if I do not preach
the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16 CSB). Each one of us are responsible
to preach the gospel and make disciples. Join hands and be a partner with
whichever ministry or individuals who stand to fulfill this mandate.
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