Just Jesus by stella ashworth
My Beloved in Christ, wherever the Lord leads, He will provide. He is Jehovah Jireh, our faithful Provider, and He equips those He calls (Genesis 22:14, Philippians 4:19). Yet, too often, I see ministry turned into a means for financial gain rather than a labour of love and obedience to God.
When the Lord calls, He does so knowing that the provision is already within reach. But when ministry becomes a business, its focus shifts from Christ to self. It ceases to be about advancing the Kingdom and instead becomes a means to serve personal interests.
The work of the Lord is never meant to be a tool for self-enrichment. Jesus Himself warned, “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). Ministry should never be a marketplace where the message of Christ is commodified for personal comfort.
Instead, let us be faithful stewards, using what the Lord has given for His glory alone.
Jesus warned us about false prophets who would come in His name, deceiving many (Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:11). Be vigilant, for not everyone who claims to speak for Christ truly does.
The message of Christ is a message of hope, love, transformation, and eternal life. It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16). It is not a commodity to be traded, nor a means to manipulate others for personal gain.
Scripture is clear: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). The Gospel is not to be used as a tool to exploit people for financial gain or to fund personal ambitions.
Those who twist the Word for selfish purposes stand condemned, for “many will follow their destructive ways, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness, they will exploit you with deceptive words” (2 Peter 2:2-3). Let us be discerning, keeping our hearts pure and our motives aligned with Christ. The Gospel is sacred, meant to be proclaimed, not profited from.
In Him, I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). He is my portion, my strength, and my song (Psalm 73:26). The world may chase after fame, status, and fleeting riches, but I count it all as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8).
Take the fame. Take the status. Take the illusions of this world. Just give me Jesus, and I will be more than okay, I will be complete. For He alone is my sufficiency, my righteousness, and my eternal reward (2 Corinthians 12:9, Colossians 2:10).
Nothing in this world compares to Him. He is enough.
He is everything. Christ alone is all I need.
By Stella Ashworth for Team Talk.