As we traveled for so many years, from church to church, God made it clear that we were to look to Him and only Him for our needs. So many times, there were situations that required figuring out a good many factors to see our way through. Calling churches for dates to come sing and share was a constant and ongoing endeavor. Add to that, sussing out the sleeping arrangements for each night; where and what my family was eating next; medical concerns to decide on each day; treatments and medications. Once we got to a church, the logistics of the sound equipment and how much or how little of the service we were doing were primary concerns.
Seems like God was sure to show me right away that the financial part of the work belonged to Him. Early on, we were led that we were not to set or require a certain fee. As I called churches to introduce myself in hopes of getting on the schedule, I wound up with a sense that I did not want to then charge a set amount for our appearance. I know that this was God working in our lives to build an attitude of trust in Him. Yet, there was a danger of looking at the size of a church and/or the number of people in the crowd. One could even begin inspecting the people or the town as we drove through and form an idea or two as to how it would go by the way people were dressed. There are so many ways to get distracted from the real task at hand. It’s too much! Too many variables.
I’m not trying to paint a sad, ‘woe is me’ picture of ministry, but just describing how there is a lot more to consider than what to wear or what to sing.
Money and ministry has taken on such a stigma that I’ve wanted to simply steer clear: To stay “above the fray.” I have heard from so many pastors of the ‘strong arm’ and ‘squirrelly’ tactics that have been employed by a few in ministry. And I can confess that early on, in my ignorance, I too, muddied the waters.
We traveled to Florida one time with the so-called promise of many other churches being in attendance and therefore, “I ought to sell a lot of CDs.” I invested a good bit of time, energy and money to get there. The event wound up being a total flop and when we got home, we were broke, tired and discouraged. I believe it was then that the Lord dealt with me about it. It was a clear message, if only for me and my family, that we are to go and do what He gave us to do and He will provide as we go. We have the receipts in our lives that are the miraculous evidence that He provides. Not love offerings, not rich Christians, or anything else: HIM!
It has been such an amazing freedom! Certainly, I’ve seen ways that need more stewardship on my part, but through it all, we have been able to go and avoid the mess of negotiating. We have sidestepped the trap of chasing the ‘better money’ and yes, even the disappointment of unmet expectations.
We were in a church in east TN with lots of people; the service went well and everyone was excited. We had set up a table for CD sales out in the foyer and were also assured a love offering would be taken up. Someone forgot to inform the pastor to ask for the love offering. He closed the service and never mentioned it. There must have been a special on lunch down at the Golden Corral that day because those people stampeded outta there like cattle and never even looked towards our CDs! We left there quite concerned because cash flow was not flowing so much that week. We drove back to the hotel, and as we drove through the parking lot, two elderly men sat on a bench, talking. One of them yelled out to us, “Hey, aren’t you that family that was singing at the church this morning?” “Yes, sir!” we replied. He asked us to hold on a minute as he went to his car. He then came back to us with a $500 check. He explained that he believed that the Lord had impressed upon him to give us this check at the church, but he brushed it off. He then prayed and asked the Lord to make a way for him to run into us again so he could make it right. We have hundreds of stories like that! Moments that have shown us just how real God is and how deeply involved He wants to be in our lives.
As we continue, there are still many days when I am running hard to get it all done and it’s truly challenging. “Lord, the check book ain’t looking too hot right now… that church should have… that guy told me that he was gonna….” It’s too much and God has made a bunch of it none of my business.
Do I really believe? Absolutely I do! I’ve learned that when I simply agree with God and simply believe that He provides, He does!
And He can do it for you!