Ministry and motives

Have we considered the possibility that God may not be impressed with many 'ministries' even if they look impressive to people because of their size or apparent impact on others? Ananias and Sapphira sold their property and gave a large sum of money to the apostles. But God slew them for their dishonesty because their real motive was to get honour before people, and they pretended to be helping poor people generously. If Peter was not there to see through it, what importance they would have got in the church! God did this as an example and warning to the church, which stand even now, even though He is giving people time to repent.

Many times we see only what people say or do, and it is not always possible to to see why they do them. Some people have learnt how to hide their true heart from others and mislead them with false narratives. But God sees our hearts (1Sa.16:7). There is nothing about our life that we can hide from God (He.4:12,13).

'Ministry' is just another word for service, and not an occupation to shine in or make money (Mk.10:45). It is obvious that some are in 'ministry' for money, fame or power. It is possible that some people started a ministry sincerely, but as 'side benefits' began to come along, they slowly became more important for them. They found it easier to focus on those 'blessings' because real ministry required sacrifice.

Even if we don't think we are in that group, we must be careful not to allow even a small part of our work to be motivated by such things. Even it is a small part, it will have a tendency to capture more and more of our heart as time goes on. A little leaven is enough to affect the whole dough.

Another danger that can corrupt us when we gain power over others is to become indiscreet with sexual purity. Don't imagine people don't notice. God certainly does.

Integrity of life is essential for God to use us in ministry. If we give place to falsehood in our life, God will first warn us through the Holy Spirit. But if we choose to ignore the correction and hold to the falsehood, God will allow us to become blind in areas of our life (2Th.2:10). Even when our folly is open to others, we can't see it ourselves!

We can become spiritually blind even when we are able to carry on what we were doing earlier. We will stop receiving fresh revelation from God. It is sad to see some people who keep preaching the same old things in different forms, which people with discernment can see. But unfortunately, such discerning ones are few, and so these people carry on with their 'ministry'!

Let us not assume that this will not happen to us. We may not have faced such temptations because we have not been in such situations. But be sure that we are determined to remain faithful in the sight of the Lord, whatever situations we may find ourselves in.

Even if we have fallen in the past, God's mercy is freshly available to us in order to make us men and women after God's own heart.