One morning over breakfast, my husband was discussing with me about 1
Chronicles 20-21 and 2 Samuel 24 (when King David ordered for a census of
Israel and Judah). In these chapters, we read that this very act of King David
stirred God’s wrath, and a plague then came on the land. Many were killed
because of this one decision. This reminded me of God’s instruction for us which
I think is applicable to all God-called ministries.
Always consult the Father
King David’s kingdom was well established and everything was smooth
sailing before He made this decision to number Israel. It’s a surprise that he
didn’t consult God first (like in other times in the past before He went for
war). Though we are living in God’s grace and favor, we still need to consult
God for all our ministry decisions. If a God-fearing person like King David can
make a wrong decision, even being moved by satan and by fleshly desire, not one
of us is infallible.
Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the
rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he
understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth; For in these I delight," says the
LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV)
At every stage of our ministry, we should not stop consulting God in our
decision-making. If you are a parent, you will not have the heart to deny your
children of their inquiries even when you are busy. You may not attend to them
immediately but will eventually give in if they keep ‘pulling your sleeve’. So
ask and expect to receive direction from Him (see Matthew 7:7-11).
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not
on your won understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)
Many future troubles can be prevented when we move in God’s purpose and
timing. Prevention is better than cure. Have the habit of consulting your Abba
Father who is interested in every affair of your life.
Individual life that counts, not number
I remember the Lord led me to read these chapters in the Bible before we
moved our Sunday’s Celebration from our home to the public place. The Lord told
me He wanted His ministers to serve with the right intention, not to be ‘number-fame-power-money
crazy’ but minister to precious souls as individuals.
"Shepherd the flock of God which is among
you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest
gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being
examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive
the crown of glory that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5:2-4 NKJV)
It is very interesting that in 1 Chronicles 21:3, Joab answered King
David when he was instructed to take census, “…are they not all my lord’s
servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” It is sad to see pastors
and elders lost their joy of serving the Lord once they are too
‘number-conscious’, either being imposed or self-imposed. Unnecessary pressure
and guilt would come in when they failed to meet the ‘quota’ of members or
losing members in their churches or cells. Ministry is always about meeting
people’s needs. This is the heartbeat of God. When
there is no heart for people, there is no ministry.
(Read 1 Corinthians 3).
God cares for His children’s needs and wants His flock to be shepherded
with love. Only God can give the true increase. Human-generated growth will not
last. We preach but the Holy Spirit convicts. The Church is God’s building.
Different churches/groups of believers have different God-intended
personalities. Just as a father sees the beauty of different personalities in
each of his children, so is our Father God. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any
comparison or competition among groups of believers. For no other foundation
can anyone lay than that which is laid, that is in Jesus Christ. It’s never how
much you can do for God that counts but doing what He wants you to do. Let no
one boast in men but build on works that endures the test of fire and receive
the reward from God that does not fade away.
Stick to your calling
King David was called to be a man of war. His son, King Solomon was
called to be a man of rest (peace). Though at an old age when King David was
not able to fight at war, he’d be better off training more ‘warrior-disciples’,
instead of taking census over Israel and Judah. Was it due to his boredom,
pride or for the sake of a sense of self-achievement? The reason wasn’t stated
but one thing for sure, he wasn’t doing what he’s called to be.
For I say, "through the grace given to me, to
everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members no not have the
same function... Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is
given to us, let us use them..." (Romans 12:3-8 NKJV)
Have you been trying to wear many hats that are either too big or too
small for you? It’s important
that you function in the measure of grace and sphere of spiritual authority God
endows upon you. Grow with
the present ministry grace upon your life and not presumptuously jump into
another’s ministry or spiritual office. The last thing you want is to suffer
from wrong ministry choice or making mistakes that affect other lives. It is
important to know the specific call of God for your life. When the Lord
‘orders’, He ‘pays’. This is also one of the important keys to having financial
blessings in your ministry.
Are you currently suffering from financial famine, spiritual attack,
‘losing members/their submission’ or any unexplainable 'plague' in your
ministry? Take a moment to reflect the system and structure you set up. Are
they still standing and being built on the original purpose laid by the Lord
for your ministry? Are you still sticking to the call of God in your life? Have
you been patiently waiting for the revelation of God before carrying out
ministry decisions?
Bear in mind this message is not for you to condemn yourself or to judge
others, but to live in the very calling of God for your life. I rejoice with
you if you are enjoying a fulfilling ministry. May there be more effective
ministers being established through your ministry.
However, if mistakes have been made, know that you do not have to go
through and suffer the consequences as in King David’s time. Acknowledge your
mistake to God and come back to Jesus’ perfect work on the cross. King David
had to buy a threshing floor from Ornan with full price to set up an altar for
burnt offerings to the Lord, for the plague to stop. But Jesus the ‘burnt
offering’, the perfect sacrifice had been laid for us at the altar. He has paid
the full price when He died on the cross for you. The ‘plague’ stops the moment
you understand this and come back to the purpose God has for you. Many more
lives will then be blessed through your life and ministry.