Tony Ares, in his very positive review of the new
James Brown biopic, added this spiritual observation: It never ceases to amaze me how church folk confuse great vocal chords
with solid character. This flick paints a picture of how some of these folks
singing the gospel are as separated from Christ as Judas himself. (http://afreshword.org/post/93735808778/movie-review-get-on-up)
I don' disagree with Tony at all, but I would add at least
two more classes of church folks to his observation: Preachers
and Financial-givers
We all know that preaching (combining prophesy, teaching, ministering,
and exhorting) is a spiritual gifts. Just read Romans 12: 6-8.
But if you read the same passage a little more slowly, you’ll
see that giving is also a spiritual gift. The church has some anointed givers--- people
like Lydia (Acts 16) whose widest impact on the gospel will be underwriting
missionaries and evangelists.
It’s too, too easy for Preachers and Givers to become
performers.
So remember:
The sanctuary is not a stage.
The offering is not the weekend’s take.
Worship is not a Gig.
The prophetic voice doesn’t turn on and off based on a
payment schedule. Just ask Balaam
(Numbers 22-24).
The content, quality--- or length of our preaching should not be determined by audience
size, preferences, income, or enthusiasm.
We answer to God for how we use our gifts, not to a local
manager or a group of church groupies; and the integrity and holiness of our
personal lives is very much part of how God evaluates how we have used, or
misused the anointing.
And though we often recount that church is not a social
club, we need to also remember that church is not a publicly traded company in
which your influence is proportionate to your financial investment.
The biggest tithe doesn’t buy you a controlling vote. Just ask Simon (Acts 8).
Peter said to him, “Your money
perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased
with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is
not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and
pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I
see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8: 20-23)
You answer to God for how you use your gift of giving and
for how you live your life---- regardless of how impressive your gift was.
Jesus said, “Not everyone
who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who
does the will of My Father in heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day,
‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name,
and done many wonders in Your name?’
And then I will declare to them, ‘I
never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ “ (Matthew 7: 21-23)
You don’t want to finish a “career” as a popular preacher or
a revered patron only to stand before the Lord and discover that He’s the one
person who doesn’t recognize you.
---Anderson
T. Graves II is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education,
ministry, and rural leadership development.
Rev. Anderson T. Graves II
is pastor of Miles Chapel CME Church (5220 Myron Massey Boulevard) in
Fairfield, Alabama; executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth
Networking Organization (SAYNO); and director of rural leadership development for the
National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).
Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
Support by check or money
order may be mailed to
Miles Chapel CME Church
P O Box 132
Fairfield, Al 35064
