WE ENDURE ALL THINGS LEST WE HINDER THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

1. "If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?
2. If others are partakers of this right over you, ARE we not even more? NEVERTHELESS WE HAVE NOT USED THIS RIGHT, BUT ENDURE ALL THINGS LEST WE HINDER THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST."
   1 Corinthians 9:11,12 (NKJV)

• It is the right of a minister of God to receive material things from those whom he ministers to; however, if exercising this right will affect the gospel, ministry work, negatively; he should refrain from exercising his right (1 Corinthians 9:11,12).

• Your right as a believer may not always be strove for.
• At times as a Christian, you may need to forgo your right.
• You may need to forgo some lawful things which are not beneficial.
  THIS is a sign of maturity.

1. "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify [build up].
2. LET NO ONE SEEK HIS OWN, BUT EACH ONE THE OTHER'S WELL-BEING."
   1 Corinthians 10:23,24 (NKJV)

• Some ministers in a bid to get their rights have caused more problems in the body of Christ than good.
• Some sort of collecting 'consultative fee' before they attended to those who come for counselings and prayers in their place.
• Only those who come with money or other material things could see them.
• Ministry work is not about what you get but what you give, the impact you make in people's lives (1 Corinthians 9:14,15).

1. Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach should live from the gospel.
2. BUT I HAVE USED NONE OF THESE THINGS, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void."
   1 Corinthians 9:14,15 (NKJV)

• A number of Ministers have lost the anointing on their lives because of indiscipline in the area of money.

• Some have collected money that tainted the anointing of God on their lives, and it was to their ruins (1 Peter 5:2; 1 Timothy 3:3).
• Gehazi, Elisha's servant, who supposed to be craving for double portions of Elisha's anointing collected leprosy because of covetousness, insatiable appetite for money and material things (2 Kings 5:20-27).
• If you want to last in the work of ministry, money should not be your goal.
• Also if you are in the ministry work because of money, you may not get it. CRAVING for money in the ministry work is an abuse of purpose, a misplaced priority.
• Do the work of ministry without a crave for material things, though God has promised to take care of His servants, it is not your agitation that would make Him fulfill His Words.

1. "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
2. "For after these things the GENTILES SEEK. FOR YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS THAT YOU NEED ALL THESE THINGS.
3. "BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
   Matthew 5:31-33 (NKJV)

"Let your conduct be without COVETOUSNESS; BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE. For He Himself has said, I will never LEAVE you nor FORSAKE you."
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, NOT FOR DISHONEST GAIN BUT EAGERLY."
1 Peter 5:2 (NKJV)

"Just as I also please all men in all things, NOT SEEKING MY OWN PROFIT, BUT THE PROFIT OF MANY, that they may be saved."
1 Corinthians 10:33 (NKJV)

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Prace!