Should I Pay the Price for the Anointing?
There is a price to be paid, make no mistake about that. No matter what you pursue in life, if you desire to obtain something you pay a price. Let me just say at this point that I know Jesus paid it all. Jesus paid the ultimate price. Everything good we have is from Him from our health to our finances. We are not “earning” anything in that respect.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17 NKJV)
Maybe a better way to say it just to avoid confusion is that there is a choice to be made. Do we choose to think about heavenly things or worldly things? Do we choose to fellowship with the saints or sleep in? Do we choose to study the word or watch that new crime drama? Are we going to pray today or are we going to take a break from prayer? I made the point about paying a price because we are talking about money and kingdom finances and provision in the bigger picture. We often speak of “spending” our time don’t we? Whether we are talking about time or money, are we good stewards? Does it really matter where our time or money goes as long as we are giving to God? I believe it does. Being a good steward doesn’t mean just giving your share. I don’t believe in mindless giving. Jesus said I only do what I see the Father do. That is very specific.
I have heard many people say “It doesn’t matter what they do with the money. That’s not my business. I gave my ten percent and did my part so the rest is on them.” Have you heard that before? I have. I’m reminded of the wicked servant who buried the money entrusted to him.
14 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
What do you take from this scripture? The wicked servant did not put his master’s money where it would bring increase. Is it really ok to give without thought of what the master’s money yields? No. We are responsible for the things that are entrusted to us. We cannot shift the responsibility onto someone else. “Well… Pastor so and so told me to. It’s his fault.” No, it isn’t. Wisdom in all things. Where am I going?
The $1000 Anointing
Not long ago I spoke in a church where there were a lot of people who desired to be used of God in ministry. To be fair, that could be said about a lot of the churches I where I have spoken. But after one of the meetings a young man approached me and asked for a moment of my time. I knew by the spirit that he was serious about the things of God. The Lord told me to speak with him. He told me he had an important decision to make the next day and he asked if I could either give him direction or pray concerning his decision.
Then he told me the situation. This young man had approached a well-known apostle and asked for a prayer of impartation so that he could be used of the Lord in greater measure. I myself have stood in the prayer lines of people I admire, so I could relate to this. The apostle told him that he would release his anointing to the young man and be his “covering” if the young man would pay him $1,000. He was taken a bit by surprise he said, but didn’t want to miss out if this was God. But on the other hand a $1,000 is a lot of money so he wanted to be sure. His question to me was “Should I pay this money so that he will pray for me and be my covering?” The apostle was coming to attend the meeting the next day so he had to have an answer before then.
I laid my hand on his shoulder and closed my eyes to pray but before I could even start, the Lord spoke to me. “Explain to him the basics concerning apostles and prophets.”
I told him that apostles and prophets are foundational offices in the body of Christ. They are they ones that allow others to build upon them. They are the ones that build you up, equip you, prepare you, and launch you by the Spirit of God. I explained that if an apostle feels led of the Lord to be your covering, it is a very serious thing. It is not something that is done lightly but is a responsibility before God. I told him that I myself have been asked to be someone’s covering but would not do it unless the Lord told me to do so. It’s serious.
I explained that one of the marks of the apostles and prophets of God is humility. Not just gifting but humility and Christ-like character. There is no job beneath them because they are the low place… the foundation. A servant is not above his master. An apostle will wash your feet. An apostle is the ultimate servant with the heart of a servant. Think Jesus. An apostle delights in blessing those whom the Lord has given to him.
I talked to him about several other things as well The young man said ‘I really feel peace in what you have just told me.”
What Does the Scripture Say? Maybe the apostle was trying to test the young man’s heart. Maybe… But that wasn’t what God revealed to me. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and give the money to the poor and then follow Him.
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:21-22 KJV)
Jesus did not say “Sell all you have and give me the money.” No, the bible says to avoid even the appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
I’m reminded of the story of Simon the sorcerer who wished to purchase the power that the disciples carried.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! (Acts 18:18-20 NKJV)
The young man I spoke to was not a “Simon” by any stretch of the imagination but rather just a young man who was hungry for God and did not want to miss out on an opportunity from God. The Lord showed me that He was going to use the young man mightily in the days ahead. I’m excited for him.
The Role of Money in the Kingdom
Again, we must be wise and responsible with that which God entrusts to us. Whether we are talking about $1,000 or $10 we have to realize that it all matters. Do you want to see the blessing of God upon your life? Realize every financial decision, every seed sown and dollar given has an impact one way or the other…. For you or against you.
Yes, we bless people. We love to bless the apostles and prophets. We are part of a plan and if we want to walk in kingdom abundance, we must see that nothing is haphazard. We must be good and faithful stewards putting the Lord’s money where He instructs us to so that it will bear great fruit.
Mike
For more on Supernatural Provision here is Book One of “Supernatural Provision”
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