So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow… Matt 6:31-34 NIV
Professional coaches often ask, “If you could do anything you want to and money was not limiting, What would you do?” I want to suggest that God is asking a question that is very close to that one. It often takes years to figure it out as we go through several stages. See if you can find yourself in the same journey.
What’s my ministry? – People that get a taste of the Holy Spirit find the thrill of being a vessel to minister the presence of God to others. Matching our spiritual gifts with anointed opportunities to bless others is a joy beyond measure… we want to do it all the time. It’s normal and healthy for young believers to have a passion to find their unique mix of personality, spiritual gifts, and talents. That package can be used by God to bless others. It might be teaching, counseling, helping, giving, healing, exhorting, prophecy… At this stage of our maturity we often have a healthy imitation of others with a similar gift mix. When we see our own gift in operation through others we are drawn to it; the Holy Spirit is whispering, “This is you.” We long to give ourselves to the gifts and ministry God has shown us.
Going full time – This is expression has historically been the priestly language for quitting your job and finding financial support from offerings (a good thing for priests). Kings, however, are called to break poverty and find “full time” ministry through a mix of their vocation and spiritual gifts in the marketplace. For a King, “full time” means you have the financial flexibility to give yourself more exactly to what you enjoy most. For example, Howard Ferris (Civil Engineer) and Duane Smith (realtor) love doing crusades and church plants. Several times a year they will go to places like India, Pakistan or the Philippines to have evangelistic crusades, plant churches, build churches, and start orphanages. Sometimes they get help from their local church; the rest of the time the finances come out of their own pocket and time comes out of their personal vacation. For about a month out of every year they “live their dream.” They are continually excited about the next trip and the memories of the thousands of healings and salvations from the last one.
PS: they both have a financial plan for to do their dream 12 months a year.
Entering the Kingdom – There really is a place where you can walk in your dream. Go back to the question (If you could do anything you wanted to and money were no object). God’s plan is to take you to that place and make your dream come true. We’re all on the that journey. Something strange happens when you get there. Let me share an example from my own experience.
My spritual gifts are along the lines of teaching and the prophetic. I love to lead people to new places and “engineer” the process to get them there. Although it’s a little hard to admit, I love the limelight – and the warfare of pioneering a new area. We planted two churches out of that gift mix. I also love to get revelation in writing and share it. Two books, 120 newsletters, and conferences are the result. All those things are born out of a gift mix that motivates them… and tempered with a job necessary to fund them until our financial plan kick in.
Beyond Ministry – Experiencing part of my dream has put me in a new perspective. It’s not really about my ministry or my gift mix. They are no longer the goal; they are just tools to be used as needed for a grander plan. More books, and newsletters, and conferences will not satisfy my appetite for God. There are bigger fish to fry.
God pulled the curtain back on something much more exciting than conferences and books and newsletters… even bigger and more exciting than my personal ministry – It’s the Kingdom. My eyes are no longer solely focused on my own gifts and opportunities and finances. What’s really exciting is to see what the Father is up to all over the earth. You and I are part of a release in the hearts of God’s people everywhere. He (and you and I) are making disciples that know how to: 1) bless others out of their unique gift mix, 2) release prosperity so finances no longer limit ministry, and 3) release sons in the marketplace that can do one and two even better. It’s all about the doing what the Father is doing and He’s all about the sons… and now I’m all about the party.
Seek first His Kingdom and all these things (your dream) will be added – to you.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… Matt 28:19 NIV
Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation…. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:15-20 NIV
Note: Our money and ministry are still tools that we need to build the Kingdom. Continue to excel in anointing and prosperity. You will need them both.
Life is an adventure. People are a blessing. God is amazing. We’re winning.
