I have no idea who all reads these weblogs. Maybe you're in full time ministry yourself, or you do this for a living. Believe me, we at Try Dying know well what it means to live by faith for your finances. Churches like Sedan (mentioned in the previous blog - click here to read about how God moved) do not have unlimited funds in their youth budgets to pay above and beyond to meet every single one of our financial needs. If you are a gifted teacher or worship leader, then I beg you as a fellow laborer of the Gospel - please do not base where you will go or not go on money.

Jesus said to the disciples in Matt. 10:7-10: "And as you go, preach, saying 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support."

When churches contact us and it comes around to the issues of finances, this Scripture is our response. We do this for a living, and depend on the Lord to support us through the church and other means. We will tell them that when we come, we will do our very best to preach and lead in worship. They will get our best effort. In a fair exchange, we ask that church to do their very best to support us financially. We do not believe it honors God to penalize a church for their lack of funds, nor insult the Lord who forsook treasures in Heaven to redeem us who were poor by refusing to come to a church based on the amount of money that church is able to provide.

HE WILL PROVIDE! You might be reading this and think, "Yes, but what if a church takes advantage of me by paying me next to nothing?" We know this can be discouraging. Who in ministry doesn't have a story about driving a big distance and getting paid 25 bucks? We all do! But here's the point - did we ever miss a bill? Did God ever not come through in some other way? Will He not take care of us for abandoning everything to fulfill His Great Commission? And, honestly! Who cares if we do get taken advatage of, if by our being dishonored the Gospel goes out?

I am grieved when I hear of certain brothers and sisters in both prominant and not-so-prominant Christian bands who simply refuse to go do what they have been called by God to do unless thousands of dollars are paid. If this is you, regardless of your reasoning, please consider that you are placing a price tag on the call of God to preach the Gospel FREELY! And don't get me started on "riders", guys! It's one thing if someone is offering you extra benefits when you come to serve; it's quite another when we, as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in HIS NAME, make demands on the church for things that aren't necessary.

The same goes for us who are preachers! I will never forget hearing about a phone call to a preacher who was offered 800 dollars to preach for a week at Youth Camp in Florida. Upon hearing the figure, the youth speaker reacted as though he had been insulted, and the youth pastor doing the inviting immediately felt the need to begin apologizing. This was in 2000!

In the year 2000, my (Jamey) father was working in a machine shop doing hard labor and pulling overtime. He brought home about 700 dollars a week to provide for a family of four. Yet, we as youth evangelists and preachers act like we've been snubbed or insulted to go spend the week in Florida, do what we're called to do, watch lives change before our eyes because we "only" made 800 dollars? No, I think it's our attitude that's insulting. It's insulting to the Lord, and warrants real repentance.

Brothers and sisters, please - if you represent the church - do your best financially! Go above and beyond to support if you're able. Fellow laborers in ministry - let's understand that the Gospel is FREE! It is FREE!! IT IS FREE!!! And if we get taken advantage of as laborers, God will lovingly discipline the disobedient, and subsequently bless us financially through other means!  It's when we all in this area of financial support, as the Church, do our best that God receives most glory!

At my friend Justin's ordination, I heard a pastor say the following:

"Justin, there was once a time I would have stood here and told you that you can't make money doing ministry. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. You and I both know that you can make a lot of money in ministry in this day and age."

He went on to charge Justin with not being blinded by greed and being faithful to offer the Gospel to all, recalling the promises made in Scripture of God's abundant provision.

I offer no apologies for what I sadly expect will be a contraversial news blog. I offer you these words to reflect on, my dear laborers in the glorious Gospel, regarding the ever-growing mindset of being financially driven in your heart regarding the call:

We've come a long way from "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8c).

May we all examine our hearts in light of God's grace and the amazing call that He has given us to share the Good News.

-TD