Resisting a Leftover Faith: A Challenge for Pastors
As pastors, we often find ourselves guiding others, teaching them to trust God and manage their lives according to His principles. But how often do we turn that focus inward, examining our own lives, particularly our spiritual and financial well-being? It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of ministry and neglect the very foundations of trust and stewardship that we preach about so frequently. Today, I want to challenge you to resist a leftover faith, especially when it comes to your finances.
The Foundation of Trust
Trust is fundamental in our relationship with God. It’s easy to teach others about trusting God with their finances, but how does that trust manifest in your own life? The truth is our relationship with money is often a mirror of our relationship with God. The way we handle our finances can reveal where our trust truly lies. Is it in the security of a paycheck, the stability of savings, or the promise of investments? Or is it in God, the ultimate provider?
In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we read the story of a widow who was on the brink of losing everything. Her husband had died, leaving her in debt with creditors threatening to take her children as slaves. In her desperation, she sought help from Elisha. His response was simple yet profound: “What do you have in your house?” Her answer? “Nothing except a jar of oil.”
This widow had very little, but God used what she had. As pastors, we often focus on what we lack—time, resources, or even energy. It’s a scarcity mindset. But God asks us to start with what we have. The question isn’t about what we don’t have; it’s about whether we trust God with what we do have. It’s the same question God asked Moses at the burning bush, “what’s that in your hand?” I can work with what you’ve got.
Demonstrating Trust Through Action
In the story, Elisha instructed the widow to gather as many empty jars as she could from her neighbors and pour her oil into them. Despite the risk and vulnerability of her situation, she obeyed. As a result, her small jar of oil miraculously filled all the jars she had collected, providing enough to pay her debts and sustain her family.
The principle here is clear: God responds when we act in trust. It’s not enough to say we trust God; we must demonstrate it through our actions. For pastors, this can mean stepping out in faith in your personal financial decisions, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. It means prioritizing generosity, not just preaching about it.
The Firstfruits Principle
Proverbs 3:9-10 teaches us to “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” The concept of firstfruits is not just an Old Testament practice; it’s a timeless principle that applies to us today. As pastors, it’s easy to get caught up in the needs of the ministry and overlook this in our own lives. But giving God our first and best—not our leftovers—demonstrates trust in His provision.
Many of us may feel the pressure to hold onto every resource, especially in times of uncertainty. But the truth is, God doesn’t ask us to give out of our abundance; He asks us to trust Him with the first portion, believing that He will provide for our needs. This isn’t just about money—it’s about our hearts. Where we invest our resources reveals where our trust lies.
Practical Steps Forward
So, how can we, as pastors, resist a leftover faith? Here are a few practical steps:
- Assess Your Trust: Take a hard look at where your trust lies. Are you relying more on your financial security than on God? What would it look like to fully trust Him with your finances?
- Prioritize Generosity: Commit to giving your firstfruits to God, even if it means making sacrifices in other areas. This could mean re-evaluating your budget or cutting back on certain expenses to prioritize giving.
- Live the Message: As spiritual leaders, our actions speak louder than our sermons. By living out the principles of trust and generosity in your own life, you set a powerful example—not just for your congregation, but for yourself and your relationship with God.
Remember, the challenge of resisting a leftover faith isn’t about the amount you give; it’s about the heart behind it. It’s about demonstrating that you trust God with your life, your ministry, and your future. Let’s commit to leading lives that reflect the very trust we encourage others to have—lives that honor God with our first and best, knowing that He is faithful to provide.
