Those that don’t organize, agonize!
The wonderful joys of year end book-keeping. I know, all of you on here are far more organized than I am in keeping all your receipts and expenses carefully categorized all year, and you have all your software up to date, so completing your year end responsibilities is a easy for you, right?
Well, I heard a wise minister once say to me, when I questioned him about the realms of chaos I often discovered, in trying to help ministers and ministries get their finances in order: “Well, ministers love people. They are people, people. They don’t always have the gift of administration that is needed to set their ministries in order.’
Years ago, that was me. Yet, I have had my share of agony financially over the years, and have learned that there is a gift from God that will set things in order, be it a church, a ministry, or a business, and we can pray and ask Him for this gift!
Lets look at a couple of Bible verses:
2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Rom 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1 Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Administration: Setting things in order. Every business and ministry must have this, or it will disintegrate. There are gifts, given by God, to set finances, procedures, and processes in place in any given organization, that bring order, excellence, and avoid all appearance of evil in the handling of people, money, and resources.
Many businesses and ministries do not recognize these, or have these in place yet, and it brings reproach to the cause of Christ, and pain to the people involved in those organizations, and the people they are called to serve.
There is much great teaching on this gift, but for those of us facing year-end, we need more than teaching, we need God to gift us, now!
If you are a leader, that understands the principals of faith and confession, here is a prayer of confession for you that will bring your organization into divine order:
‘Father, I believe that you have called me to lead this organization, and that I have everything I need to get your will done here. I ask You for the gift of administration, to set things into divine order in my life and organization. I believe I receive this now, and by faith, I declare I have powerful gifts of administration, organization, and order operating in my life, to set people, finances, and resources in order. I believe this is easy, for your wisdom makes your yoke easy, and burden light. The people you have called alongside of me, to help manage these resources, I will recognize by the Holy Spirit, and I trust you to supply their every need, to get this essential management job of your kingdom done quickly, with excellence, and no compromise to integrity, in your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’