During my undergraduate days, I pastored a campus fellowship and attended a meeting to plan a conference with a visiting Christian leader. Afterwards, she offered cash envelopes to everyone, but I declined. To me, serving God shouldn’t be about getting paid; my calling isn’t a contract.
Friend, don’t let your calling become a career or contract (1 Corinthians 9:18). This is one caution every calling carrier must heed. Your calling is a divine assignment. It must not be done with worldly wisdom or human smartness. If God has called you, stay true to the call. Don’t be bought over by men or opportunities (Acts 8:20).
Beware of the error of Balaam. Don’t go after money or financial gain (Jude 1:11). No doubt, there is gain in following God. But we don’t follow gain. We follow God. Beware of doing ministry because of what is in it for you. It is not a contract. It is a calling. It is total trust in the living God who is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Don’t do pastoring as a career. You need to be called (Hebrews 5:4). If you are genuinely called, be careful that you don’t handle it as a career. Be sure you don’t operate by the world’s method or standard. Be careful not to monetise it. In a bid to add excellence and professionalism to the work, ensure you don’t water down the sacredness of the call (2 Corinthians 4:1-2).
You may retire from your career, but you cannot retire from your calling (Philippians 3:10-14). Your calling will outlive and outlast you while your career is termed and timed. If you handle your calling as a career, you end up living for the here and now, and not for the hereafter. You need to have an eternal perspective on whatever you are doing for God (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Can you serve God even if there’s no financial gain (1 Corinthians 9:16-18)? If not, then you have given the devil permission to distract you. We serve God out of love, not for gain. If your service is love-motivated, you would keep serving Him even if there’s no immediate compensation (John 21:15-17). I often hear people say that everybody has a price tag. Is that true for you?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria