“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind…”

— 1 Peter 5:2 kjv

How often do we hear accusations against ministers or ministries, “Oh, they’re just in it for the money”? The Bible tells us that those who work should be paid, including ministers. But no one should pursue the “ministry” for greed’s sake. Yet tragically some do.

I receive a great many invitations to speak, and I turn down well over 99 percent of them. Very frequently I am asked ,”How much do you charge to speak? What honorarium do you require?” And there are ministers who have set honorariums, sometimes running into thousands of dollars. I have always replied that that is their problem (as to how much to pay me) and I leave it with them.

We are not to minister for money. We are not to feed the flock of God “for filthy lucre,” and I would say to those going into the ministry that I think this is a very vital thing and we need to trust in God for our provision and not trust in men.

I am not in the ministry for money, nor should anyone be. I have been absolutely convinced that God was going to provide for all of my needs and, therefore, that was just not something that was an issue. I can say that God has certainly provided abundantly for all of my needs over the years.

Lord, give us strength for today that we never do a good deed for money or recognition or any gain, but let us always serve You out of love. Thank You, Jehovah-Jireh, for Your provision…

BY HIS STRENGTH, WE CAN
BE FREED FROM GREED.