Although nearly two thousand years have passed since God forgave our sins by offering His own Son as the atonement, many in this world still remain in darkness, unable to grasp the light of the Gospel or realize that their sins were forgiven long ago, and thus do not receive their share of salvation. On the other hand, those who believe they have been saved by His grace must ask themselves whether they have truly received salvation in its fullness. Have we ever paused to wonder why, even after God has completed everything necessary for mankind’s salvation, not everyone on earth receives it? When such a question arises in our hearts, it leads us to seek an answer—and in that search, God speaks to us through His Word.
Believers Struggle Receiving Forgiveness
We know that one Man, Jesus, came into this world to demonstrate perfect obedience to His Father, and through Him many have found the way to the Father. If we are among those walking this path toward eternal life, then naturally, our journey should inspire others to join this pilgrimage. Along the way, have we helped anyone connect with our Father? Through the prophet Isaiah, God reveals our condition in the following verse.
We were with child, we writhed in labor, but we gave birth to wind.
We have not brought salvation to the earth,
and the people of the world have not come to life. – Isaiah 26:18 (NIV)
If we have not led anyone to walk in the path of life, it shows that we have struggled to receive salvation and have not truly embraced it. For if we had genuinely received salvation, others would begin to walk in the way of life by witnessing the transformation in us. Yet God declares that the people of this world have not come into life. Paul also compares this struggle to the pains of childbirth—groaning from ancient times until now—because we have not yet fully entered into the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23).
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, reminded us to unite our hearts with God to fulfill our Father’s will for the people in this fallen world. He challenges believers: if someone has experienced God’s grace, then they should have the mindset of Jesus.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. – Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)
Today, many churches encourage fellowship among members, yet this often leads to divisions, as people end up criticizing and hurting one another. Paul, however, emphasized that true fellowship begins with the Heavenly Father. When each believer cultivates fellowship with Him, it naturally produces unity, like-mindedness, and unconditional love, allowing brothers and sisters in Christ to live in harmony of spirit.
Salvation Is An Experience
We know that it is by grace we are saved through faith, and not by our own works—it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8–9). With this focus on God’s saving grace, Paul urged the Romans to call upon the name of the Lord for salvation:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13 (NIV)
Though this may appear simple and open to all, God alone knows those who truly desire to be saved, for such people will turn away from wickedness. The challenge, however, is that many do not sincerely turn from their sinful ways, or even if they do, they soon return to them when they see the majority living in wickedness. To such believers, Paul reveals God’s heart—that salvation requires a genuine and lasting turning away from sin:
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’” – 2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV)
Yet, some misuse the privilege of calling on the name of the Lord, thinking that the adoption process is already complete. Gradually, they exploit this privilege to seek recognition, fame, and monetary gain. In doing so, they fall into the snare of the god of this age, whose deception blinds their eyes from seeing and understanding God’s own warning.
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. – Deuteronomy 5:11 (NIV)
People Of God Who Rejected People’s Money
Scripture presents people who relied fully on God for their needs, not on man. Sadly, this truth is rarely emphasized today. Because many depend on others for their livelihood, they distort God’s Word to suit their convenience. Yet we must remember: the Word is not to be twisted for our benefit, but our lives must be aligned with it.
Abraham lived by this principle, refusing to let anyone claim they had enriched him, so that glory would remain with the true Sustainer (Genesis 14:23). Elisha likewise rejected Naaman’s gifts after God healed him of leprosy (2 Kings 5:16). Ezra, too, declined the king’s military escort, reasoning, “If I teach the people to depend on God for everything, how can I myself depend on soldiers for protection?” (Ezra 8:22).
In earlier generations, God’s servants burned with zeal for souls, enduring hardship to bring the Good News and rescue the perishing. William Carey, for example, sustained himself as a humble cobbler while feeding countless people with the Living Word—and we are the fruit of such sacrifice. By contrast, many today exploit God’s Word for personal comfort and luxury, leaving others spiritually starving. Revival is delayed because too many seek worldly gain instead of God, unwilling to labour with their own hands.
With such testimonies of faithful servants before us, we must ask: Where do we stand today? Do we truly look to God as our Provider? When He works miracles, do we give Him the glory—or do we bow before the devil, to exchange God’s mighty deeds with worldly blessings and fleeting recognition? To whom are we really looking?
Changing Trend In The Lives Of Servants of God
That there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. – Acts 4: 34-35 (NIV)
In the early church, money was never collected for the apostles themselves but for the needy among the believers. Contributions were meant to uplift the poor, yet today many servants of God are unashamed to ask—even from the poor—for money or material support.
Even then, some misused offerings as Ananias and Sapphira sought recognition by pretending generosity, while Simon the Sorcerer viewed money as a means to purchase the Holy Spirit. But Peter rebuked him sharply, refusing even a moment’s compromise:
May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. – Acts 8:20–21 (NIV)
Yet how often today do we tolerate—or even encourage—those who believe God’s blessings can be bought? Their “generosity” is often praised, not out of sincerity, but to stir competition among others to give more. This distorts the truth: blessings cannot be purchased, and ministers must learn, like Peter, to rebuke such thinking.
When Jesus sent His disciples to minister to hungry souls, He commanded them not to receive anything in return. Why? Because if people gave payment, they would see themselves as debtors to men, not to Christ, and slip back into their old ways. But if they gave nothing in return, their debt remained to Christ, who would cancel it by His grace and save them.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. – Matthew 10:8 (NIV)
Scripture clearly calls us to depend on God alone in serving Him. Yet false servants lay heavy burdens on their hearers, demanding support in every respect. As a result, people assume they have “paid” for what they received, drifting away from God, while ministers exploit them further for gain. Today, it is rare to find someone who, relying solely on God, spends from his own means to proclaim forgiveness of sins.
Spreading The Word Is Our Responsibility
Many ministers quote Paul’s words, “God loves a cheerful giver,” as though God does not love those who are unable to contribute to their ministries. With boldness borrowed from the evil one, they twist Paul’s teaching while ignoring what he actually commanded regarding their own livelihood:
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. – 2 Thessalonians 3:7–8 (NIV)
But because they have grown accustomed to trading the Word of God for fleeting wealth, they refuse to obey what Paul modeled or what Jesus Himself taught. In such times, it falls upon mature believers to uphold the instructions of Christ and His apostles, spreading the Gospel in full dependence on God—while rejecting those who have turned ministry into a business.
Let us not waste precious time criticizing false ministers, for the days are short. Instead, let us move quickly to share the Gospel with hungry souls. Remember, though Jesus had many disciples and followers, it was Simon of Cyrene and Joseph of Arimathea who were granted the privilege of standing with Him at His crucifixion and burial. Opportunities to serve God abound while we are on this earth. Let us faithfully seize them, even as others misuse their privileges. In doing so, we will bear the truth and bring forth salvation—not emptiness.
The Jordan Valley 
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