Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “Accountability”

22 Apr 2024

Kingdom Leaders and Financial Donors – 1

Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. Luke 8:1-3 NLT

Jesus and the Twelve were materially supported by a group of committed, faithful, and generous women who gave out of their own resources to enable Jesus’ ministry team to advance the Kingdom through their ministry of discipleship. This partnership between the ministry team and the ministry supporters was critical for the ministry to function. And though little is said about it, these women “and many others” who supported Jesus, their background work was key to the ‘foreground’ public ministry.

Many Kingdom leaders and our ministries are supported by the sacrificial, generous gifts financial donors who faithfully give monthly that we might fulfill our God-given calling. They are partners with us in advancing the Gospel, investing their money to help fulfill the Great Commission through us (Matthew 28:18-20). Thus, we are obligated to steward these investments wisely, with accountability for how they are used in our ministry, in ways that are above reproach.

Here are several thoughts on our stewardship of the money given to us and our ministries:

  1. Never take your ministry donors for granted! Those who invest in you and your ministry are themselves, ‘gifts’ entrusted to you for your stewardship. Part of your ministry is a ministry to your financial donors. Note that the women who supported Jesus were a part of his ‘traveling team.’ No doubt, along with the Twelve, they too got to hear the explanations of the parables and ask Jesus questions (see Mark 4:34).
  2. Note that for Jesus and the Twelve to minister to others it took these prominent women ‘donors’ and ‘many others.’ Pray and work for a broad donor support team who count it a privilege to invest in you and your ministry and will faithfully give.
  3. Do not assume that because a donor gives to you or your work that they want to become your ‘best friend.’ Many major donors are investing in multiple ministries, not just yours. Respect that reality and don’t presume a more personal relationship unless invited.

Seek to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. “… What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
06 Aug 2018

Rewards for Laboring

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.   If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.   1 Corinthians 3:10-15  (NIV  1984)

In the passage above Paul is talking about his labors for Christ.  He, the ‘expert builder’ of people, reminds the Corinthians that there will be rewards given at the ‘bema’ judgment seat at the end of days.  All of our labors will be tested by the fire of God, revealing true motives and outcomes.  Some will lose potential rewards while others will be rewarded for their faithfulness.  Salvation is not at risk, this is rewards for service.

As Kingdom leaders who labor for the Lord and His purposes, the reminder that we will have to give an account of our labors should be sobering.  The writer of Hebrews says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.”  Hebrews 13:17  (NIV  1984)  We are stewards of a trust given to us by the Lord, the trust of leading His people to accomplish His purposes.

In the parable of the Talents there is an accounting when the servants are called to report to their Master the results of their labor.  Faithfulness is rewarded by the Master (see Matthew 25).  Immediately following this parable is another titled the Sheep and the Goats.  Referring to the final judgment, the sheep (faithful ones) are welcomed into heaven and are surprised at their reward.  Note that in this instance, they are rewarded for service given to other believers -“whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  (Matthew 25:40)  We see similar principles of reward for labor taught in the parable of the Ten Gold Coins (see Luke 19).

Your labor for the Lord does not go unnoticed by Him.  There will be a reckoning one day and rewards will be given for your faithful service.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.   1 Corinthians 15:58   (NIV  1984)

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #3 DO - What a Leader Does and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

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