PASTORING AND TAKING THE SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT 4

2 SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD WHICH IS AMONG YOU, SERVING AS OVERSEERS, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 AND WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD APPEARS, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF GLORY THAT DOES NOT FADE AWAY."
1 Peter 5:2–4 (NKJV)

• A minister and money

• Another important thing which a minister should be watchful about is money.
• Many missed it in the area of money and they lost the anointing of God on their lives. They could not reach the maximum level which God ordained them to reach, because of the love for money.
• Not being greedy for money and covetousness are parts of the qualities which whoever would be considered for being a bishop should possess: "NOT given to wine, not violent, NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY, but gentle, not quarrelsome, NOT COVETOUS" (1 Timothy 3:3 NKJV).
• Do not let money be the motivation behind whatever you do or wanted to do in the ministry work.
• Let whatever you do be motivated by your love for God; that you wanted to obey God, and the love or compassion you had for the people—you had a godly passion in you to bless the people of God.
• Let your work, whatever you do, be based on obedience to whatever you are being instructed to do by God.

• Do whatever you do because you love God and wanted to obey Him; and not mainly or primarily because of what to receive or gain as a reward.
a. If you are an itinerant minister, do not require for a specific amount to be given to you before you could honour an invitation.
b. Do not specify the kind of the hotel to be lodged in, or the food to be given to you, or whatever as a condition to be invited or honour an invitation.

• All these are done by some ministers but the aftermath effects of them might not be good.
• Also in your own ministry, or the ministry or church you are used to pioneer, do not do these:
  a. Do not organize a programme because you wanted to raise money or collect money from people.
  b. Programmes should be organized to bless the people, for God to meet their needs, not to milk them.
• Do not listen to side comments, and the reactions of people.

• Your trust should be built on God's faithfulness to reward you, pay you, for every labour of love: "FOR GOD IS NOT UNJUST TO FORGET YOUR WORK AND LABOUR OF LOVE WHICH YOU HAVE SHOWN TOWARDS HIS NAME, IN THAT YOU HAVE MINISTERED TO THE SAINTS, AND DO MINISTER" (Hebrews 6:10 NKJV).

• Know that money is not everything, and It is not the most important thing in the ministry work.
• God would test your heart on monetary issues. Remember, you are not dealing with a Man, or humans, but God, who knows the intention of every Heart or person (1 Chronicles 28:9).
• If the motives with which you do whatever you are doing are wrong, God knows, and He would reward you accordingly.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' precious name.
• The hold is broken completely and never to rise again in Jesus' mighty name.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!