SACRIFICE: BEING A PARTNER TO GOD'S WORK 2

1 NOW IT CAME TO PASS, AFTERWARD, THAT HE WENT THROUGH EVERY CITY AND VILLAGE, PREACHING AND BRINGING THE GLAD TIDINGS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. AND THE TWELVE WERE WITH HIM,
2 AND CERTAIN WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN HEALED OF EVIL SPIRITS AND INFIRMITIES—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, AND MANY OTHERS WHO PROVIDED FOR HIM FROM THEIR SUBSTANCE."
Luke 8:1–3 (NKJV)

• Whose work is it? Is it the visionary's work or God's?

• The Owner of the work is God, not the visionary or the minister. The pioneer of the work or the minister that was given the vision is not the one who owns the ministry work.
• Whoever is there to support the ministry work or the assignment is a co-labourer with the pioneer or the visionary or the founding minister (1 Corinthians 3:6-9).
• This point had to be well understood by whoever is planted in a ministry to be part of the work there, or to use their material possessions to support the work; as seen in Jesus' earthly Ministry—in the text of this teaching (Luke 8:1-3).

• If the point of being a partner is not well understood, a believer who is planted in a place, a church, or raised to support a ministry; can easily be swayed and his or her mind be distorted and stopped being faithful in whatever God has assigned them to do as a responsibility to the church or ministry.

• Note: whatever you are assigned to do, to support a ministry or a church or a minister; It is a responsibility and not an obligation. Although, some who give to the work of God see it as an obligation, thus, they give sparingly and grudgingly—without being cheerful:
  6 BUT THIS I SAY: HE WHO SOWS SPARINGLY WILL ALSO REAP SPARINGLY, AND HE WHO SOWS BOUNTIFULLY WILL ALSO REAP BOUNTIFULLY. 7 SO LET EACH ONE GIVE AS HE PURPOSES IN HIS HEART, NOT GRUDGINGLY OR OF NECESSITY; FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER" (2 Corinthians 9:6,7 NKJV)

• The Rewarder—God.

• God the Rewarder is not partial and not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11; Acts 10:38).
• God, the Owner and the Rewarder of whoever did the work would not reward the person who is not faithful in his or her own part.
• It is a mandatory thing to do; whether you are the visionary or the partner or supporter—one who offer help. It is a responsibility as earlier said, but at the same time, could be obligatory: "IF I SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS, I HAVE NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO THIS. HOW HORRIBLE IT WILL BE FOR ME IF I DON'T SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS!" (1 Corinthians 9:16 — GOD’S WORD Translation).

"I TELL GOD'S GOOD NEWS TO PEOPLE. BUT I HAVE NO REASON TO BE PROUD BECAUSE OF THAT. IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO DO. If I did not tell the good news, IT WOULD BRING ME GREAT TROUBLE."
1 Corinthians 9:6 (EasyEnglish Bible)

• If you are being blessed in your work, whatever you do as a secular work, in order to support a ministry or minister; If you are not faithful, as in using the resources or money being channelled through your hands for God's intended purpose—to support the assigned ministry or work or the minister—the flow of the blessings would be halted or truncated.

• The purpose.

• The main purpose of whatever vision or plan or ministry or assignment given by God to anyone is to bless mankind—bring people to Him and His Kingdom on earth (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
• God would through the faithfulness of whoever is assigned, the visionary or the sent one and the partners or the supporters, the one to offer help or aid, bless and lift both of them—bless them materially.
• Note: no one should receive glory to himself or herself on whatever is done or accomplished through the work; either the visionary or those who support—the partners.

• A word to the partners or those who support.

• If your heart or motivation were not right in doing whatever you are doing to support the work; It might attract a curse or punishment to your life, instead of blessings or rewards (Acts 5:1-10).
• Whatever being given as a seed or offering or sacrifice is done to support the work; should all be done with Joy and cheerfulness, and not with grudges (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• It should be done with love; you give to God's work or support a ministry or a minister because you love God (1 Kings 3:3).
• Whatever you are doing; Giving of your substance or whatever, should be without any sentiment.
• And also, you should not do whatever you do or give whatever you give because you wanted to receive the praise of men: "THEREFORE JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME, UNTIL THE LORD COMES, WHO WILL BOTH BRING TO LIGHT THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DARKNESS AND REVEAL THE COUNSELS OF THE HEARTS. THEN EACH ONE'S PRAISE WILL COME FROM GOD" (1 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV).
• Note: when you give with a good heart or motivation:
  a. the anointing on the ministry and the minister will work for you; rest on your life and whatever you are doing for living.
  b. You will experience God's faithfulness in forms of blessings in all your endeavours.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' mighty name.
• The hold that is broken now will never be formed or built again, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
  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!

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