The heart of a servant
What I want to share with you is just a small part of what the Lord has really ministered to me very strong lately about the heart of a servant to the body of Christ, and has really burned this in my heart in a major way! In 1 Cor. 10:24 the Apostle Paul said "Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth" (good, well being, welfare) also in the book of Romans 15:2 - 3 again the Apostle Paul writes "Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification for even Christ pleased not himself: but, as it is written: the reproaches of them that reproached thee have fell on me." in this last part of Rom. 15: vs. 3, it is a reference to Psalms 69:9 where David's love for God was so great, and reflected God's heart that he became insensitive to his own self life and became so sensitive to God that he grieved at the very same things that God himself was grieved at, wow! That is awesome!! Now look at Philippians 2:4 & 5 ( - 9 ) "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation and took upon himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name that is above every name.
We can really see how the heart of the Apostle Paul reflected the heart of Jesus in 1 Cor. 10:33 " Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved" this is exactly what Jesus did for the father, that the world might be saved. Now with this in mind; look at what poverty and lack (not enough) does to the body of Christ! Now, it is all about me, my need, my well being, and my wealth!! forget about any one else!! what about ME!! This completely blankets the believers God given ability to build up (edify, strengthen) the body or supply anything good to the body as a servant. (Jesus himself said “verily, verily I say unto you, insomuch as you did it not to one of the least the least of these, ye did it not to me! And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the Righteous into life eternal”. Matt. 25:45 & 46) this self centered mindset is exactly the opposite from how the scriptures instruct us on how the Kingdom of God operates. It is a vain imagination and is completely contrary to the word of God, and needs to be cast down! The enemy is having a heyday with the Body of Christ because of this attitude of self life! This is what we call "I disease."
With "I disease," we will never be able to experience Ephesians 2: 21 & 22 “all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the spirit.” Look at Ephesians 4:16 also, This is talking about Christ being the head: "From whom the whole body, (you and I) joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does his own share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." just think, if every one who said they were a Christian gave their tithe, and was sensitive to the Lord (not to everyone crying for money) and gave not just money, but whatever the spirit of God laid upon our hearts to give!! Did you know that the basic meaning of prosperity is having God’s ability within you to produce whatever is needed? Grace, healing, love, peace, joy... all the fruits of the spirit, as well as righteousness, revelation knowledge, mercy, compassion, time, money, gifts... you get the point!
Last but not least, let’s look at 2 Cor. 9:11 “being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgiving to God; while by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them and unto all men; and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift.” (the exceeding grace of God in you) Now that is the heart of a servant!!
Curtis Forbes