Just Checking

I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. I know how eager you are to help. … But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, and that your money is all collected.– 2 Corinthians 9:1-3 excerpts (NLT) 

In my early years of ministry, I thought that charisma and the “charismata” (gifts of the Spirit) all operated through the spontaneous and unpredictable movement of the Holy Spirit. Thusly, the more spontaneous an event was, the more it reflected the presence and the power of God. 

But after thirty-five plus years in ministry, I’ve come to see things differently. 

Serendipity can be marvelously overrated. Spontaneity is exciting but hardly sustaining. Sustained excellence in ministry requires lots of preparation and lots of checks and balances.

Enthusiasm alone is not enough to balance a yearly budget. Spiritual vision without logical execution is impractical. 

The enthusiasm that the Christian believers in Corinth had shown for giving financial support for their beleaguered brothers and sisters in Jerusalem had greatly inspired the Apostle Paul and many other Christians throughout the region. Along his missionary journey, Paul boasted about the wonderful generosity of the Corinthian Church. 

But when it was time for Paul to actually collect the Corinthian gift, he did not rely on the spontaneous movement of the Spirit. Paul sent a team ahead of him to make certain that when he arrived, he would receive what he expected and what he’d announced. 

Prayer
Lord, you may bless beyond our plans, but please, bless our plans to your glory. Amen.

About the Author
Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia.