Ministry demands the answer to this question. Scripture tells us to give freely what we have been freely given. So how is it that we "expect" monetary gain for sharing what we've been given freely?
Every so often, through the years of ministry, I've been advised to collect donations. I've actually received advice regarding a donation button for my site. That may or may not increase my checking account, but it would certainly eliminate nearly half my articles and blogs, not to mention obliterate a key part of this ministry of nearly 20 years, in which I've never solicited or asked for a single donation. I literally, ran a ministry and fed neighborhood children through the era of the "prosperity teaching," without even taking up an offering. That's not to say, donations and offerings weren't given, because they were, and still are; but I never asked people. YHWH knew what I needed and He would just lead folks to give, and they did. David mentioned in the 37th Psalm that he had never seen the descendants of the righteous begging . . . I am a child of the King, so it would make absolutely no sense for me to start begging now. So, with that, I thought, the only place a donation button would be appropriate is to "REPLACE" the Kingdom Economy link.
I've been told and of course we've all heard that a minister's time is worth something. It absolutely is, and I know the passages about not muzzling the ox while he's treading grain, and pressed down and shaken . . . There were specific Torah commands regarding the provision for the Levites, but I can't imagine working anywhere and expecting my fellow workers to all pitch in for my paycheck. YHWH does provide for His servants.
We, as a society, have gotten so far from what time really is and what anything is actually worth. If my time is spent for my Father's business, it can't be measured in dollars and cents. If my time isn't spent for Him, then all the dollars and cents won't make any difference. Whether we serve YHWH or do not serve Him, we're leaving this world without a dime in our pocket! Actually, we'll be leaving this world without pockets . . . We cannot take anything with us. All we can do is leave something in this world. We can leave it for the better or the worse, but it's not about setting a dollar value on our time, but rather "spending our time" in a way that has everlasting value.
I am blessed with wonderful well water, I don't have to drive to work, everything on my table is organic, and I am privileged to publish Y'hshuwah around the world. I don't even want to imagine the downgrade in my lifestyle if I started equating time and money.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Wise Counsel
Scripture tells us before starting something, we should count the cost. Proverbs tells us there is wisdom seeking counsel. Obviously both of those statements are true. I know, even with a call on my life, I still sought spiritual counsel in regard to the initial steps of fulfilling that call. I got some wise counsel and some not so wise advice, but fortunately when the call comes from On High, HE offers the insight to separate the wisdom from folly. When it comes to secular business, I had a bit more trouble, because it wasn't spiritual, as much as it was emotional. Oh, I prayed before starting the business, and felt very assured to proceed, but I allowed myself to get talked into so much more. That isn't to blame the "advisors" as much as it is to own up to my own mistake in taking advice from the unqualified.
First and foremost, there were bivocational servants of YHWH in Scripture. Abraham is referred to as a prophet, yet he was also a nomadic shepherd. Paul, an apostle, also made tents or tallits, but coverings of some sort. Being in ministry in Bible times isn't like being a Rabbi or Pastor today. In Bible times, only the High Priests were considered in full time ministry, with provision by the "congregants."
Today, I would venture to suggest that the true servants of YHWH are bi-vocational. I was hesitant to start my business for two reasons. I already have a great deal of responsibility, homesteading and writing. The ministry to which I'm called is very similar to that of Paul's. Most of it is in writing, via books and internet, with some speaking engagements. The topic is clear. If you're going to follow Messiah then you have to live as He lived. It's non-negotiable. The Great Commission isn't about knocking on doors inciting debate, selling books, or getting someone to recite the "sinner's prayer." The Great Commission is about going and proclaiming redemption upon repentance, and teaching the lifestyle He lived to those who do repent and are seeking the Living G-d.
So, back to wise counsel. Don't ask the advice of anyone who is insatiable. Don't ask the advice of anyone who doesn't have to work for a living. Don't ask any entrepreneurial advice of someone who doesn't get up early or stay up late working on ideas. I'm not saying they have to burn the candle at both ends, but successful business people have a reason to get up and do not waste the day. My personal perspective is there is a big difference between a visionary and someone who is just never satisfied.
Good advice will confirm and encourage while gently critiquing what is already in your heart and on your mind. Good advice will not say, "Now, here's what you need to do." Good advice asks questions and encourages your vision while imparting a few practicalities. Now is a great time to consider applying the talents G-d created in each of us to work with our hands and accomplish the living and lifestyle He purposed for us.
First and foremost, there were bivocational servants of YHWH in Scripture. Abraham is referred to as a prophet, yet he was also a nomadic shepherd. Paul, an apostle, also made tents or tallits, but coverings of some sort. Being in ministry in Bible times isn't like being a Rabbi or Pastor today. In Bible times, only the High Priests were considered in full time ministry, with provision by the "congregants."
Today, I would venture to suggest that the true servants of YHWH are bi-vocational. I was hesitant to start my business for two reasons. I already have a great deal of responsibility, homesteading and writing. The ministry to which I'm called is very similar to that of Paul's. Most of it is in writing, via books and internet, with some speaking engagements. The topic is clear. If you're going to follow Messiah then you have to live as He lived. It's non-negotiable. The Great Commission isn't about knocking on doors inciting debate, selling books, or getting someone to recite the "sinner's prayer." The Great Commission is about going and proclaiming redemption upon repentance, and teaching the lifestyle He lived to those who do repent and are seeking the Living G-d.
So, back to wise counsel. Don't ask the advice of anyone who is insatiable. Don't ask the advice of anyone who doesn't have to work for a living. Don't ask any entrepreneurial advice of someone who doesn't get up early or stay up late working on ideas. I'm not saying they have to burn the candle at both ends, but successful business people have a reason to get up and do not waste the day. My personal perspective is there is a big difference between a visionary and someone who is just never satisfied.
Good advice will confirm and encourage while gently critiquing what is already in your heart and on your mind. Good advice will not say, "Now, here's what you need to do." Good advice asks questions and encourages your vision while imparting a few practicalities. Now is a great time to consider applying the talents G-d created in each of us to work with our hands and accomplish the living and lifestyle He purposed for us.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Change Doesn't Mean Stop
The winds of change are coming in my life and as a believer and citizen of the kingdom of YHWH, the winds of change are nothing to take lightly. I am talking the leading of the Great Spirit of YHWH. In Hebrew, wind, spirit, and breath; are sometimes used interchangeably. Now that I'm writing this, if every time we are expecting the "winds of change," we'd truly stop and seek our King, we may miss fewer opportunities and certainly would waste much less time.
I've been thinking a lot since my birthday, realizing a big change was coming, I am the same age my Daddy was when he retired. He retired at 55 with a stellar career and is still called back for emergencies in an advisory capacity. Even though he retired young, he's still nowhere close to a rocking chair. Now past 70, men half his age would be hard pressed to keep up with him. He made wise investments and bought land along the way. I really think although he had a wonderful career with good earnings, he also saw 55 as the beginning of a new career, at least a different set of goals, with goals still be essential in his life.
We used to read and hear about so many men that died right after they retired. It's as if their life stopped at retirement. I don't plan to retire at all, but then I didn't begin serving YHWH til my mid 30's, and homesteading in my mid 40's, a business in my mid 50's and now this new expanded opportunity coming . . . it makes sense with such a late start, standard retirement isn't even an option . . . My entire adult life has been spent working hard, but I wasn't working for the Kingdom of YHWH until nearly 20 years ago. Serving HIM is such a privileged blessing, it doesn't seem like work at all. To even think about retiring would be quitting life.
There is, created in each of us, the need to be vital and productive for life. I realize some folks can live many years without contributing much, but for the most part, I believe we were created to live, produce, and contribute our entire life. We need a purpose and plan, beyond a paycheck. A paycheck isn't a reason to live, it's only a means to pay for the living we do and the lifestyle we choose. As I begin to listen and take the necessary steps toward this next project, I'm also keeping track of my living expenses. I've always been amazed at how full my life is, with so little funding required.
So at 55, I'm looking "cautiously" toward where I'm headed. You may think that sounds like a lack of faith. I'm not worried about YHWH's plan. I know it's perfect. The caution is on my part to not jump ahead and not chase any rabbit trails. I'm not in my 20's anymore! I know Daddy has made good use of his time and his energy since he "retired" at 55. Having had a good example of an excellent work ethic, I'm excited to apply that heritage knowledge to the Divine Plan that is laying out before me.
Considering the fact that Moses was beginning his life's work at 80, I'm still just a kid at 55!
I've been thinking a lot since my birthday, realizing a big change was coming, I am the same age my Daddy was when he retired. He retired at 55 with a stellar career and is still called back for emergencies in an advisory capacity. Even though he retired young, he's still nowhere close to a rocking chair. Now past 70, men half his age would be hard pressed to keep up with him. He made wise investments and bought land along the way. I really think although he had a wonderful career with good earnings, he also saw 55 as the beginning of a new career, at least a different set of goals, with goals still be essential in his life.
We used to read and hear about so many men that died right after they retired. It's as if their life stopped at retirement. I don't plan to retire at all, but then I didn't begin serving YHWH til my mid 30's, and homesteading in my mid 40's, a business in my mid 50's and now this new expanded opportunity coming . . . it makes sense with such a late start, standard retirement isn't even an option . . . My entire adult life has been spent working hard, but I wasn't working for the Kingdom of YHWH until nearly 20 years ago. Serving HIM is such a privileged blessing, it doesn't seem like work at all. To even think about retiring would be quitting life.
There is, created in each of us, the need to be vital and productive for life. I realize some folks can live many years without contributing much, but for the most part, I believe we were created to live, produce, and contribute our entire life. We need a purpose and plan, beyond a paycheck. A paycheck isn't a reason to live, it's only a means to pay for the living we do and the lifestyle we choose. As I begin to listen and take the necessary steps toward this next project, I'm also keeping track of my living expenses. I've always been amazed at how full my life is, with so little funding required.
So at 55, I'm looking "cautiously" toward where I'm headed. You may think that sounds like a lack of faith. I'm not worried about YHWH's plan. I know it's perfect. The caution is on my part to not jump ahead and not chase any rabbit trails. I'm not in my 20's anymore! I know Daddy has made good use of his time and his energy since he "retired" at 55. Having had a good example of an excellent work ethic, I'm excited to apply that heritage knowledge to the Divine Plan that is laying out before me.
Considering the fact that Moses was beginning his life's work at 80, I'm still just a kid at 55!
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