I have been traveling a bunch lately so I have been absent from my blog. Sorry! But today I have a treat. It may not be a treat to everyone but it certainly has been to me. Do you ever wonder why it seems that so many are doing ministry on what appears to be a shoe string budget? I certainly have! As a matter of fact it has been something I have thought much about over the years. Why? Because I have been one of those people on many occasion. Not always though. Why sometimes does everything seem tight and at other times it seems like resources seem to come easy as pie. Here are a couple of observations on why I believe that may happen to us.
One, it may be that our father is just trying to teach us a lesson concerning trust, faith, faithfulness, stewardship, patience, etc. I would never say that the only reason you are not getting all you want is because God is punishing you, but I do believe that God uses money and its availability as a tool to teach us many lessons. Some of my best lessons have been during times of what I considered to be paltry supply.
Two, and this is where I have been thinking lately. Often our lack of resources is simply because our vision does not match up with God’s vision. You see, God’s abundant provision is for His will, not ours. When we pursue a vision that is only 25% of what God desires is only able to provide us with 25% of the resources. Why would he give us the resources to reach a nation, when our vision is village size? Consider Paul’s exhortation to the Church at Thessoloniki “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1Th. 5:24 He tells them that God is faithful to bring to pass what he calls them to. He is not interested in our partial obedience. He desires, no demands our full immediate obedience. That “immediate” is important. Never forget that delayed obedience is immediate disobedience.
If you are wrestling with the reality of what seems like limited resources to accomplish God’s purposes in your life. Just ask yourself….is the vision I am living totally consistent with the vision God has for me? Do a quick gut check. It may be that you are only planning and executing a fraction of what God has in store for you. The shortage of resources may be a sign that there is more that God has for you.
Don’t misunderstand me….this may not always be the case, but it may be the case more than you realize!
