MORAL PRINCIPLES OF THE MINISTRY WORK
11 BUT YOU, O MAN OF GOD, FLEE THESE THINGS AND PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, GODLINESS, FAITH, LOVE, PATIENCE, GENTLENESS.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on to eternal life, to which you are also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus WHO witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
14 THAT YOU KEEP THIS COMMANDMENT WITHOUT SPOT, BLAMELESS UNTIL OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST'S APPEARING."
1 Timothy 6:11-14 (NKJV)
Every work, profession, has ethics, moral principles that govern it. For example, medical ethics are observed by the medical profession.
Consequently, the ministry work also has ethics, moral principles that govern it.
Many ministers of the gospel behave unethically. They live and do things which are contrary to moral principles of the work.
This is the reason why every minister of the gospel should know the ethics of the ministry work, at least the basic ones.
One of the reasons many could not abide or live by the moral principles of the ministry work is because they are not taught. Some have little or no training before they started their ministerial assignment.
The point is, if you were not able to get formal training before you started your ministry or assignment, you can develop yourself. You can lay your hands on relevant material of proven authors to equip yourself.
You study to make yourself approve: "STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH" (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).
Ministry work should be done in an ethical way.
Remember, the work of ministry done faithfully in God’s way only will attract God’s blessings.
The fact that your ministry is still small does not mean you should lower your standard. Imagine, some ministers go to people’s houses to have night-vigils with them.
A whole minister in someone's house sleeping on a couch or sofa in the sitting-room. That does not dignify a minister of God. It is not befitting at all!
Some ministers also use gimmicks to collect money from people (1 Timothy 6:5,10).
If you want your ministry to last, and you want God to bless your work, you have to desist from unethical practices in the ministry work (1 Timothy 6:11).
Note: God honours faithfulness and obedience. If you obeyed God in whatever He asked you to do and followed His instructions faithfully, He will definitely reward you (Hebrews 6:10).
• As a minister, do not rubbish the grace of God on your life because of money—what to eat (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11).
• Do not sell your birthright like Esau did (Hebrews 12:16).
• Money is not everything in the ministry work (1 Timothy 6:5-7).
• All you need is God’s presence with you (Exodus 33:14).
The truth is:
Anyone can leave you, leave your church or ministry, however, the only One who should not leave you is God (Matthew 28:30).
Those ministers who do unethical things; they are doing such things because of money, what to eat.
Put value on yourself—value the grace of God on your life. Know that the call of God on your life cannot be bought with money, therefore, value it (Acts 8:17-20).
Maintain a proper sense of decorum. Do not cheapen yourself, the oil of God on your life is not cheap.
Make yourself available to serve and minister to the people, however, not with a loss of respect (1 Peter 5:2, Acts 20:28).
In presenting your ministry needs or personal needs, do not do it as if you are begging.
11 NOT THAT I SPEAK IN REGARDS TO NEED, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content;
12 I KNOW HOW TO BE ABASED [live humbly], AND I KNOW HOW TO ABOUND [live in prosperity]. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, BOTH TO ABOUND AND TO SUFFER NEED.
13 I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
17 NOT THAT I SEEK THE GIFT, BUT THE FRUIT THAT ABOUNDS TO YOUR ACCOUNT."
Philippians 4:11-14,17 (NKJV)
Package yourself well:
• Be decent in your appearance.
• Let your language be polished. Be polite in your speech, that is, be courteous in the way you address people (Colossians 4:6).
• Be truthful, a man or woman of integrity—a man or woman of your word (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9).
• What you do not intend to do or cannot do, do not promise others that you will do it. Learn to say no if need be.
• Do not borrow money from your church members or the people you are ministering to (Acts 20:33; 2 Corinthians 11:9).
• Do not buy things on credit from the people you are ministering to (2 Thessalonians 3:8).
• Do not be involved in any shady deal; good name is rather to be chosen than great riches (Proverbs 22:1).
• Be clean and live holy (2 Timothy 2:21; 1 Peter 1:15,16).
Be financially accountable:
• Do not take a soft loan from the church money. Money brought to your church or ministry is not your personal money.
• If you are the founder of a ministry, put yourself on a salary; do not be the one who is collecting every money—both offerings and tithes.
• You should have proper documentation, record for all the incomes. You can appoint qualify hands to handle that, professionals, among those you are leading or pastoring.
• Be content with your income and trust God to meet your personal needs (1 Timothy 6:6).
• It is ethical and biblical to be blessed by those you are ministering to. In other words, those you minister to can, and should, bless you with their material things and money (1 Timothy 9:11-14). However, the way and manner of collecting it from them should not be dubious and forceful (1 Peter 5:2,3). Let them give willingly!
“WHAT is my reward then? That when I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I MAY PRESENT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST WITHOUT CHARGE, THAT I MAY NOT ABUSE MY AUTHORITY IN THE GOSPEL."
1 Corinthians 9:18 (NKJV)
• Do not abuse your authority as a minister.
• Do not make merchandize of the people, that is, do not turn the people God has put under your care into business—objects of money making (1 Peter 5:2; 1 Timothy 3:3).
"SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD WHICH IS AMONG YOU, serving as overseers, NOT BY COMPULSION BUT WILLINGLY, NOT FOR DISHONEST GAIN BUT EAGERLY."
1 Peter 5:2 (NKJV)
You will not fail in Jesus' name. Peace!