Acts 26:19 “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven( NLT).
When I sensed the call of God into ministry, my decision was that I'll be the sole or major financier of the ministry. I devised two ways of achieving that. First, I decided i'll go into academics so I could have time for ministry but I discovered that my income may not be enough to fund the ministry so I thought about oil and gas.
I did a post graduate program that has application in oil and gas sector where there was money at that time. I applied to several oil and gas firms. Also, I thought about acquiring some skills that could fetch me money from that sector.
It took time for me to realize my desire was a cocktail of pride and ambition mixed together. I wanted to stand before all to say, "I funded this ministry without collecting a dime from anyone". I rehearsed my pride in my heart and God resisted it.
James 4:6 says, "And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble".
My ambition to work in oil and gas sector and fund ministry alone could have limited the reach of my ministry. I wanted everything to revolve around me. Personal income can fund ambition but God is the only one who fund his vision through his people.
Also, I failed to realize that my personal income, no matter how huge it is, can limit the reach of my vision. That could mean the ministry will never be richer than my personal income. If I earn N1million, the ministry income is limited to N1million. That way, a limit is placed on the ministry's finances and her operations. God doesn't operate like that.
When God gives a vision, he want us to trust him for everything. He want us to recognize him as the source not a means. He( the source) supplies our needs through his people( the means). That is how God fund his work.
This is the reason I don't see anyone as a sponsor of our ministry. God is the sponsor, men are just partners who sees what God is doing and has decided to partner with him. We don't have sponsors, we have partners.
I am yet to see any man with a God-given vision who supplies all his needs and his vision flourish. The ambition to be the alpha et omega of that divine assignment can ruin your God-given vision.
Till date, some persons called into full time ministry are still trying to gather enough money through work to start-up. They are delaying the execution of the vision the Lord gave them because they want to take the glory in that they provided the ministry's needs. They forgot God is the source.
If the Lord has placed a burden on your heart or has given you an assignment, do not try to do it your own way. It may not be in the area if finance like mine. It could be that God sent you to a village but you're trying to situate your ministry in the city centre to be relevant.
Do not forget that John the baptist ministry was located in the wilderness yet city people went there to meet him. His light shone and the glory of God upon his ministry could not be resisted.
It took time for me to realize some young ministers also choose wives on the basis of profession because they want a spouse whose income can help their ministry and home. Doctors, nurses, bankers,oil and gas workers are the target here. They will never marry a school teacher even If God leads in that direction.
Quit self tactics and human wisdom. Let God have his way. Just ask him how he want you to go about that assignment.
Father, I quit self tactics and human wisdom. I rely on you to help me in the assignment you have given to me in Jesus name.