Counting the number of people who follow our ministry reveals a lack of trust in God. Yet every Christian denomination, it seems, counts the people constantly. Is this because the denominations are self-ruled and not Christ-ruled?

Lack of money. The Scriptures teach us clearly that God will supply the material needs of His saints. It is our tendency to trust in money, for money is our power to rule. The members of the wealthy nations desire more and more money, not because they are hungry but to make it possible for them to do what they want apart from God.

The person who puts his trust in money has departed from the Lord. He shall not prosper.

God directs us by controlling the amount of money we have. There is much pleading for money today on the part of the Christian ministry. How much of this is of Christ and how much proceeds from the self-rule of the ministry will be revealed in the Day of Christ. The saint looks to God, not to other people, for money sufficient for the needs at hand.

The love of money is one of the most critical of the arenas in which self-rule fights for its life. Victory over money is an important step forward for the member of the royal priesthood. A study of the holy men of God will reveal that they did not trust in money to accomplish their goals.

Weakness. God has many ways of making us weak. God made Paul weak by sending a physical affliction upon him—a disease of Paul's eyes, apparently. Paul prayed repeatedly against this physical weakness, and Christ answered him:

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (II Corinthians 12:9)

Soulish believers cannot accept that any form of weakness is from God because weakness prevents their self-rule. But having to live and minister during weakness causes us to trust more in Christ. It is during our weakness, our crucifixion, that the resurrection power and life of Christ flow to others.

We much prefer to minister from the vantage point of personal strength. During the present age, true ministry proceeds from the cross, not from the throne. The throne will come later. There are sufferings of Christ that must be completed. Eternal redemption comes through us to the members of the Body of Christ as we are willing to share His sufferings.

We hope to serve Christ after our problems have been solved. It is true, rather, that it is our problems that enable us to serve Christ correctly. It is our weaknesses that slay our self-rule, causing us to rely on the power and wisdom of the Lord. Christ comes to the world through the crucified saint. Have you found this to be true?

We do not die for the sins of others, as did the Lamb. Rather, we die so Christ may live and rule among men. His enemies must be made His footstool.

To be continued.