Each and every victory in the Bible was made through God’s provision to those who, by faith, were obedient when God called. Why are modern day believers afraid to trust that the same God who provided in the Bible is the same God who provides today? Why do modern day believers trust in the dollar as provider and not God the Provider?

The same acts of worship and service that the Bible instructs us to offer up as sacrifices are now given for a price. What would have happened if Noah had agreed to build the ark, but only if he received an hourly wage? Imagine what the world would look like had Abraham replied to the Lord, “Sure, I’ll have a bunch of kids to bring you glory and inhabit the land as long as you give me plenty of child support.”? What if Moses had charged admission to the Hebrews to look upon his face and hear the commandments after visiting with God on the mountain? How might King David’s legacy be different had he agreed to slay Goliath for money rather than God’s honor? What if Isaiah had answered God, “Here I am, Lord, pay me.”? Can you grasp how much money Jesus could have made working miracles in the streets? Paul’s personal testimony and thirteen books could have made him a multi-millionaire in today’s society!

We hear folks say it all the time, “God called me.” The truth is that God has called everyone, however, not everyone listens. Of those who listen, few put in to action what they have heard. Of those who listen and act, too many will not unless they are compensated an agreed upfront amount because they do not fully trust God as Provider. (I am not referring to the provision offered but rather to provision expected or demanded).

How many church doors have closed because the small salary offered by congregations is not enough to satisfy the “needs” of the young preacher who feels his or her seminary training and knowledge is worthy of a mega church and a mega salary? How many youth groups are never formed or never grow because seminary trained youth ministers are too far in debt to lead without pay? How many musicians and singers go unheard because a music minister demands a price to lead worship? How many prospective missionaries never go past the comfort of their homes due to financial doubts?

The provision God supplies will come through other people (believer or not) who, likewise, listen and act. The Bible is packed full of great examples of how God provided protection, food, shelter, and more through people. Three well-known examples are (1) Rahab and the Spies in Joshua chapters 2-6, (2) Elijah and the widow in 1 Kings 17 and (3) the ever popular “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10. God places people in our paths to help us along this faith journey.

Your calling should also be your passion. When one is passionate about something he or she will stop at nothing to obtain it. My question is simple, “Would you do it by faith for free?” It is my belief that if a person is not willing to serve the Lord for free and not willing to trust Him to provide, then he or she probably does not trust God in other important areas. Sure, that person may hit the mark on many occasions, but where is the faith required to please God? (Hebrews 11:6) Jesus trusted God in every area of His life. All the way to the Cross! He now holds the keys to the kingdom!

Stepping out in faith is not always easy. In fact, it is almost never easy! That is why it is called “faith”. We need to become people of faith. Otherwise we are simply selfish carnal Christians who will only do what feels good and works for us. The enemy has done a great job of producing churches full of carnal Christians, carnal teaching, and carnal worship. It may look and feel great but who are we really worshiping? Are we sacrificing unto the Lord or are we pleasing ourselves? It is time we hold ourselves – the church – accountable to the Word! (1 Corinthians 3 & 9, Romans 8) Sure, God gives us the desires of our hearts and a great place to meet and worship fits that bill. Let’s just be careful to not let our desires be for selfish gain. When we become selfish and do not walk by faith we hurt our witness and our testimony is greatly tainted. Think about it…our entire testimony is built on FAITH.

Read what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:3-11 (NIV):
“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you”. Talk about faith!

The mission trips I have been on could not have been possible had I not heard the call and acted in faith and obedience. That was all I could do. The provision came from God. Not only have the trips been spiritually rewarding, they have also been some of the toughest physical and emotional work assignments I have ever endured. No amount of money could ever be enough to compensate me for what the Lord has done in and through me. There is absolutely no dollar amount that can cover the reward of a smile or hug received from someone who has just been given hope for the first time. To watch faith being born is priceless! Had my faith been in money; I would have never stepped out.

Earlier I mentioned several people from the Bible as I pondered the outcome of each of their stories had money been an issue. In each of the stories the people trusted God for provision by faith. As a result great things happened. We hear these stories time and time again never fully grasping that the same God who took care of every single detail then is still the same God today! Don’t turn down an awesome opportunity to serve God because your faith is in money (education, position, family name, etc). Put your faith in God and be amazed!
First Corinthians chapter nine offers a good lesson of how those called to serve should do so willingly and without expectancy; however, let us not miss the part where Paul reminds us who God uses to provide for the needs of those called to serve. My favorite verses in chapter nine are 16-18 – “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward: Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.”

Now, go and serve God by faith. (The reward is great!)