Think about this example, I recently got an order for 150 of my candles, from which I would make at least £400 profit. The problem was I knew that this person was a scammer, his name also kinda gave it away plus his insistence to pay by credit card, oh yeah that he wanted 150 candles for personal use! Anyway, when I told someone about this they told me to sell the candles to him anyway because I would be covered by Paypal. To them it didn’t matter if the person was a scam artist and that it would be unrighteous and I would have no idea who he might sell the candles on to as long as I got paid! What would you have done, probably the same thing right? Ok, how about this example? Most of the time I’m frustrated with Linkedin, whenever I visit a group that I’m a part of I see people mostly buying and selling like in the temple. Some do it explicitly like selling their products (I’m guilty here too) whilst others are less explicit but are still selling or marketing something namely their self, I become frustrated because it seems that I’ve entered into a Christian cyber-marché, where the best trader is the one who can sell God at the best value for money.
But within this mass of people and voices straining to be heard I also notice those who stand quietly in the corner, watching and waiting to find help and answers to there questions, I see them becoming anxious and frustrated until they too call out in desperation “how can I get God to bless me financially in my work for Him?” Unfortunately for us, we as humans are generally creatures of fear, we have needs that need to be met and the world has taught us that in order for these needs to be met that we must work, strive, buy and sell but when we work for God the normal Modus operandi does not apply. It’s not about what we do but it about what He’s doing so we get frustrated and anxious because we don’t see any results, no fruit and definitely no needs being met! But God does have something to say in all this:
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6: 25-34
What do you see in these lines, do you hear God saying “Yes, work, work! worry, worry!” or “Rest, rest. Peace, peace”? God says to His children that we should not be like the Gentiles (heathens/nations) those who have not been grafted into Israel and are now “Ami” His people but instead still remain in servitude to their idols. God knows that we need to eat and that we need clothes, some of my clothes date back twelve years but I’m still here under God’s provision and grace. What He does want us to do is seek His kingdom and it’s righteousness and then He promises that all these things will be added onto what we already have. But what does seeking His kingdom look like? Although, I think that that’s a whole other post, I do want to point to verse 10 of the same chapter:
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
One aspect of seeking first His kingdom, is our desire to see His kingdom and will manifested on earth. One thing I do love about Linkedin is the many people I have found who in some way are bringing the goodness and glory of God’s Kingdom and are living out His will on this earth by being salt and light, by bringing hope where their is despair, healing where there is brokenness, joy where there misery, life where there is death and so on. The only way we can do these things is if we allow God to fill us up with His goodness, light and truth and then give it back out to this hungry world; it’s us putting His kingdom first and then it’s us standing in agreement with His will in action to see His Kingdom on earth. So to those who are worried about what tomorrow will bring (also me) let’s turn our focus off Mammon and onto God trusting Him to fulfill His promise in our life. Here are just a few of the wonderful kingdom workers that I have found via Linkedin, I hope to include more as time goes on, but please visit them and bless them by letting others know about them after all, every thing we do is for His Kingdom’s glory first and last.
- Deborah – Deb’s Memories focuses on beautiful, inspirational and encouraging photography that glorifies God and takes us into a deeper and restful place.
- Eva- has created a truly unique gift of encouragement for those struggling with health and really any other problem, there is so much power in every capsule of truth she delivers, visit her @ Jesusrx.
- Kristina – you have possibly heard me mention Kristina’s ministry before, Kristina now focuses on supporting others with Chronic pain after her journey with God and her own footsteps with pain and faith; Kristina knows that God can offer the only effective solution with living with and dealing with chronic pain, visit her @ Chronic Pain Warriors.
- Paula – I stumbled across Paula after she commented on my last post via Linkedin, when I read her comment I knew that God’s spirit was with her; Paula focuses on moving us to the next level of our relationship with God and moving us into our place of destiny with Him, you will definitely be inspired by and through her. Visit Paula @ Biblical advising academy.
- Pastor Sherry – similar but different to Paula, Pastor Sherry focuses on deep spiritual truths that will move us into wellness and wholeness. Visit her for hints and tips on reaching for the summit.
Of course, there’s also my own work but if you really want to find out about me, you can visit the about page.
I hope this post has blessed you and once more I apologise about the length, but if you have been blessed please consider subscribing to this blog, following me on twitter (see sidebar) or becoming a guest blogger (see Contact page) and sharing your Kingdom work journey with others.
Related articles
- No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (bummyla.wordpress.com)
- Prosperity (perseveringthroughlifeschallenges.wordpress.com)
Working for His Glory 
Reblogged this on I am a Vessel of God and commented:
Check out my latest post on God vs. Mammon in life and work.
Reblogged this on Messianic Way and commented:
A perfect word at just the right time.
I’ve heard this preached a thousand times over, as I have myself. Very articulate and well presented!
Thank you so much Shimshon, I am very honoured to have blessed you and for you to reblog this post; I know that this conflict is real and often very scary but we can’t simply push it under the carpet and act in denial. I’m hoping that it will challenge us all to measure ourselves more along God’s ruler of being, living and working and not man’s.
Shalom
I could not agree more. The fact that we as His forgiven children, through salvation in Jesus Christ, have an ultimate destination which is eternity with Him…well let me just say, the time here in earth is a “drop in the bucket…” (Isaiah 10). That’s ALL I need. He promises to provide for our needs and bless us abundantly within. Bless you!
Hello friend, thank you for stopping by and I’m so glad that this post blessed you, writing it really ministered to me too. I pray that it sinks deep down into me so it becomes more than words or passion and transforms into action.
Shalom to you
This post brings up an age old struggle that many believers contend with. How do I reconcile making money with serving the Kingdom? My husband’s cousin is a very successful business man. He and his family are also devout Christians. They use their wealth to do mission trips around the world. They are the perfect example of being successful in the world but they SERVE God, not their wealth. It is a delicate balance but one that can be had. I think what it boils down to is – what are our motives? Is it to chase wealth just for the sake of having ‘stuff’ or is it to serve God? I have spent years seeking wealth. I’m now ready to seek God’s plan for my life. I know that when I do that, He will bless me and take care of my needs.
Hi Kristina, thanks so much for dropping by. I think your husband’s cousin is a wonderful example that we should all try to model no matter what financial state we find ourselves in, what we can’t do with a little we definitely can’t do with a lot. As I said in my reply to Eva, I truly believe that God does want to bless us, if we are willing to follow Him and give our lives over to Him, and leave it all behind when He says so I really don’t see why He wouldn’t.
xxx
Hoping to talk to you soon
Florence thank you so much for mentioning JesusRx, and more so for your words of truth. Our prescription of the month is Finance. I will be posting a blog on “Finance” and I know it is no coincidence “we are on the same page” 🙂 I just did something this week after much prayer that a “business” person in there right mind would never have done. I am going to wait to see the Lords results. I will definetly share with you later. Our God is truly amazing and will always provide. I keep praying to be spiritually ready for whatever he brings in the business he has given me. Again your words are words of truth and encouragement! Thank you SO MUCH for your love for Jesus and the work he has set before us.
Hi Eva, I’m so glad that this post could confirm what is happening with you. Hubby and I are also stepping out in faith on something that others will look askance at, but as you said our God is more than able to provide for us and I truly believes He wants to, if we can stir up enough courage to hang in there for the long haul. World, stand back His children are stepping through 🙂
Will be thinking of you this month x
I think Many people glance right over the words in Matt 6, where it says you can’t serve God and Mammon, I think people hear it, but they don’t have a real understanding of the spiritual implications and the reality that a person can be serving mammon and not God. Thanks for writing what needed to be said. God Bless you!
Hello friend, I think you are right. It’s a shame for us all and says a lot about the state of the human condition, that we can still be in bondage and believe we are free. Back in Eden we had a perfect relationship with the earth, the earth brought forth it’s fullness for us, we did not need to work or strive, but with the curse came fear suddenly we all had to work, and some people found that the more you worked the more you got. People have learnt to trust in their own efforts and own work over God’s provision, we don’t fully accept that God has reversed the curse for us so that the earth will yield up it’s goodness for us, we willingly decide to remain under the curse by our lack of faith.