Philippians 4:19 says, *"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus*"( NLT).
Years back, an unknown woman reached out to me via facebook asking about our mission activities. From her display picture, I saw that she lived abroad. I guess she saw pictures of our mission outreaches on my facebook wall. I noticed we had no mutual friend, she was completely unknown to me.
She asked about certain things and I gave her honest answers. I cannot remember the details of our conversation in full but I sensed the response I gave her wasn't pleasing because she expected me to say horrible things (like some do) that will arouse pity.
I could have lied and exaggerated our needs, the needs of our missionaries and others but I stayed truthful and did not speak beyond realities she could verify. I know how some missionaries present issues like that to arouse pity especially in the face of pounds, dollars or euros but I didn't because God sees me and i've walked with him a little to know how He blesses.
I have heard of ministers of African descent who will travel abroad just to lie in order to raise money. I once heard a preacher say that was the format of some preachers in the early days of his ministry, some may go as far as saying they were sleeping on trees all because of getting support. That is ungodly.
Back to my story about my encounter with this woman, I sensed she assumed that when they say someone or a ministry is into missions in Africa, they are beggars asking for alms. The next thing she said was, "I thought you are struggling". I was shocked at her response. The pride and arrogance she exuded throughout the conversation was a stench. So, she was looking for "strugglers" and not those with a genuine vision for the Great Commission?
If my memory won't fail me, I also responded by saying "We are not struggling". If I had admitted to struggling, that was the day I would have enrolled our ministry among struggling ministries. Does it mean we did not have needs at that time? We had pressing needs at that time even up till now, there are numerous needs we're trusting God to meet.
However, I refused to submit my life and ministry to someone who wanted to play God instead of being used as a channel. God is our source, humans are just channels. You will be getting it wrong to put man in the place of God. This is where some often miss it. I have seen people whine and become bitter because someone they trusted did not meet their needs.
Jeremiah 17:5 says, *"This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD*".
I know the power of words and dominant thoughts. It was tempting to meet someone who lives abroad and is ready to spend foreign currency without acting as though one is needy. The way I see people act or talk around "abroadians" is quite ungodly. They say and do things that will evoke pity. Unfortunately, they don't always get what they wanted.
Listen to me, refuse to submit your life and ministry to the needy club. Stop talking as though you are the only one facing all of life's challenges. Talking like that will sink you deeper in poverty. You will not see any reason to be grateful and creative in your quest for financial freedom.
*No one rises to the top and breakout of poverty through pity. Millionaires and billionaires were not made through pity but through vision, wisdom, consistent work and God's help*.
*Dear minister, people give to a sound and well articulated kingdom vision not to pitiful statements. Learn to prayerfully cast your vision and re cast it at every given opportunity. If it is of God, it will attract support gradually till it grows. It is better to have people support your vision than your needs. Vision is greater than needs*.
The day all your needs are met, you may not have any other thing to live for but your vision is that thing which drives you each day you wake up. It determines your pursuit. Needs are temporary but a God-given vision is transgenerational. It will outlive you. That is why vision is greater than needs. I'll rather be vision driven than need driven.
Stop enrolling yourself among needy people to curry pity from those you think might be of help. God is your source, man is just a channel.
God, I recognize you as my source. Send help to me your own way and be glorified in my life in Jesus name.