If there was ever a scripture that speaks of Covenant, this one does. One of the blessings of Covenant is that you and your Covenant partner share each others’ possessions. That means when we are in Covenant with the Lord we give Him our sin sick soul and He gives us life everlasting and all that it provides. As a minister who lives by faith, I find that comforting. The point of this scripture is if He takes care of the little things of nature how much more would He take care of us.
Early in my ministry life God began to teach me the principle of walking by faith. As a young evangelist the Lord would not allow me to spend any of the offerings on myself even though I needed the money. I could receive the offerings, but then I was instructed to give the money away. My obedience to God was an important part of my spiritual training that would bare much fruit later on in my life. The Lord would have me save the money and then He would direct me as to where to give it.
This method of giving went on for years. I learned many things in those early days that have helped me to be a more dedicated minister to this day.
The first lesson I learned was that ministry and money are not one and the same. All ministers need money, but money is not the deciding factor as to whether one is in the ministry or not. The call and anointing of God alone is the deciding factor.
The second lesson I learned was that God is my supply and the above scripture is my love note of Covenant from God.
God has blessed me abundantly over the years and I can say with David in Psalms 37:25
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”.
After many years giving the offerings away the Lord spoke to me one day and said He was going to start providing for me through the offerings. This was a shock to me because over the years He had provided for me through the blessings of a business. Now I was instructed to give that business up and go to the next level of trusting God for provision.
Each time I would go out to minister I would add up the bills to the penny and pray for that exact amount of offering. Many times the honorarium check was not even close to what I needed or prayed for. As I flew home I would go through my briefcase looking for the rest of money. I knew it had to be there somewhere even though I could not see it. I was doing what my heavenly Father told me to do and He would never let me down. I would continue going through everything looking for the money because if God took care of the sparrow He would certainly take care of me…so I kept looking. After a while I would start finding money where I had looked many times and it was always to the exact penny I needed. When I got home, Karen and I would rejoice thanking God for the miracle provision. This would happen many, many times over the years. Even today I can hardly look at a flower or a bird and not feel spiritually moved by the presence of my beloved Covenant partner the Lord Jesus Christ.
Father,
Thank you for teaching me the ministry of living by faith and praying for pennies. Those times were so personal and intimate and I weep today when thinking of them. My prayer Lord is that those who are following the faith walk will also know you in that intimate way. I can again say with David
“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”.
Amen.
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Luke 12:27-31 KJV)
Apostle John Dean Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
Alliance International Ministries