Make the Money

“‘No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’” Matthew 6:24-25, NASB.

My first experience in ministry was working with a volunteer group from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I knew that God wanted me to be involved in ministry, but I had resisted. I didn’t want to be poor. I wanted to make lots of money.

My girlfriend was the one who encouraged me to participate with the volunteer team. I’m very glad that she gave me that encouragement. During the time I spent with the seminary students from the United States I came to realize that the LORD is the most important thing in my life; far more important than making money. In fact all the money in the world would not compensate for missing the joy I felt in serving God.

At this point I have been to seminary. My girlfriend is now my wife. I had resigned myself to being poor, but God blessed me in an unexpected way. Shortly after I graduated from seminary the LORD provided me with a job that provided me with a good salary, and flexibility to be involved in ministry. While I am not rich, I am also far from being poor.

To me it was a wonderful thing to lay a dream down for God, and then have God transform that dream from something that could have been harmful to me spiritually into something that brings glory to Him and joy to me. I am often overwhelmed at God’s gracious blessings, both spiritual and material, in my life.

Pray that:

Believers among this unreached people group will realize that God is the most important thing in their lives.

God will bring encouragers into the path of many believers in this Last Frontier area to help them find the joy of serving.

Believers in this Last Frontier area will have grateful hearts that overflow with thanksgiving and praise to God for His goodness, grace and mercy.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.