Merry Christmas! It's that time of year when we often hear the familiar saying, "Tis the season to give." While the holiday season is undoubtedly about extending generosity—whether it's gifts to our loved ones or kindness to strangers—I've been reflecting on more personal ways to give. As I prayed about how I might be a blessing to someone this Christmas, one person kept coming to my mind: a young woman I met nearly a year ago.
She's 18 and comes from a family with very minimal resources, yet her love and faithfulness for Jesus shine brightly. I first noticed her at her church—not just as a regular attendee, but as someone devoted to serving and growing. She pours her heart into various, always with the happiest of smiles. As I got to know her better, what stood out most was her deep hunger to learn more about God's Word. Her curious questions, insightful answers, and joyful service were remarkable for someone her age. Despite the challenges she faces, her commitment to Christ remains unwavering.
As I reflected on the meaning of Christmas and the call to give, I felt prompted to reach out to her pastor. I wanted to know if she was still praying about attending the local Bible Institute—a dream she once shared. Her potential is undeniable, and I can only imagine how God might use her life to glorify Christ's name for years to come.
When her pastor wrote back to me, I was encouraged to hear that she still hoped to attend. But what he shared next filled me with deep frustration. The Bible Institute she desires to attend charges $2,500 per semester and an additional $900 for books every semester. This isn't some for-profit university; it's supposed to be a place dedicated to equipping God's people for service. How can such costs be justified for someone already struggling financially? I couldn't believe it—honestly, I find it disheartening and infuriating. These outrageous costs create unnecessary barriers, especially for someone with such a heart for ministry.
Many Bible Institutes provide far more valuable biblical training than some so-called "Christian" universities that charge exorbitant tuition fees. But the issue here is deeper: a Bible Institute is meant to train men and women for ministry—not to serve as a profit-driven enterprise. It should be a place of education, equipping, and spiritual growth, not a business designed to profit off the gospel. I've heard some justify these high costs by claiming the revenue helps fund other church ministries, but that doesn't change the fact that these financial models stand in stark contrast to the very spirit of what Christ commands us to do. It frustrates me to see the church embracing such structures that only seem to prioritize profit over true service.
In modern Christianity, we've become consumed with the pursuit of success—building ministries, institutions, schools, and various ventures that prioritize the wrong things. In the process, we've lost sight of what it truly means to live by faith. Even in many churches today, including Independent Fundamental Baptist churches, we've adopted a business-minded approach to ministry. The sacred things of God have been reduced to mere transactions, with money being made in the name of Christ, all while claiming to be "doing ministry." Even more troubling is that some of the most well-known preachers within our circles have turned a blind eye to this, offering their approval of these money-driven schemes.
There's something deeply wrong with this. We call people to live by faith, yet do we truly live by faith ourselves? How can we expect the world to follow a faithful God if there's no evidence of that faith in the lives of those who claim to follow Him? If we are to be the light of the world, we must reflect that light in how we live—not by how much we accumulate or how many programs we run. God doesn't call us to measure success by the world's standards; He calls us to be faithful to the people He entrusted us. It's this kind of unshakable faith—faith that doesn't bend under the weight of financial pressures but shines through the way we invest in others—that we need to demonstrate to the world.
The truth is, what the church needs right now is not more programs, costly institutions, schools, or conferences. What it needs is something simpler, something far more powerful—discipleship. Discipleship is the true work of the church, but it's not about classroom settings or expensive degrees. It's about relationships. It's about taking someone under your wing, opening your home to them, and sharing not just your knowledge of God, but your very life. Countless young people—boys and girls—have no father or mother to guide them in each of our communities. They're lost, waiting for someone to invest in them, show them love, and teach them what it truly means to live for Christ.
Instead of pouring money into expensive programs and education, why not look around at the young people in your community and ask God how you can help them grow in their faith? It's not about what we can buy for them but what we can offer them through our lives. Discipleship doesn't happen from a distance. It requires us to open our hearts and homes, treating others like family. This is how we truly demonstrate Christ's love.
As we approach the end of the year, I encourage you to reflect on the state of your church, your ministry, and your own life. Are you truly honoring Christ in all you do, or have worldly ideals subtly crept in and influenced your decisions? Where have you allowed culture to dictate how you do business, lead, and spend your resources? The Bible, not the latest trends or cultural fads, should be our blueprint for ministry. It's time we return to the simplicity of discipleship—where lives are transformed through personal investment, not just programs or institutions.
Yes, it may be uncomfortable. You might even face criticism from others who say, "You're not doing it the way everyone else does." But in the end, you'll have the favor of God in your life, and you'll witness lives being transformed and relationships bonded closer—not because of your financial success, but because of your faithfulness to do things God's way.
May this Christmas season remind you that faithful ministry isn't about financial success or big programs—it's about investing in people. Instead of focusing on high costs and business-minded strategies, let's return to the heart of discipleship. The greatest gift we can give is not measured in money or material things but in our time, love, and personal investment in others. May we choose to honor Christ by doing ministry His way—by pouring His Word and our lives into others and building relationships.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
She's 18 and comes from a family with very minimal resources, yet her love and faithfulness for Jesus shine brightly. I first noticed her at her church—not just as a regular attendee, but as someone devoted to serving and growing. She pours her heart into various, always with the happiest of smiles. As I got to know her better, what stood out most was her deep hunger to learn more about God's Word. Her curious questions, insightful answers, and joyful service were remarkable for someone her age. Despite the challenges she faces, her commitment to Christ remains unwavering.
As I reflected on the meaning of Christmas and the call to give, I felt prompted to reach out to her pastor. I wanted to know if she was still praying about attending the local Bible Institute—a dream she once shared. Her potential is undeniable, and I can only imagine how God might use her life to glorify Christ's name for years to come.
When her pastor wrote back to me, I was encouraged to hear that she still hoped to attend. But what he shared next filled me with deep frustration. The Bible Institute she desires to attend charges $2,500 per semester and an additional $900 for books every semester. This isn't some for-profit university; it's supposed to be a place dedicated to equipping God's people for service. How can such costs be justified for someone already struggling financially? I couldn't believe it—honestly, I find it disheartening and infuriating. These outrageous costs create unnecessary barriers, especially for someone with such a heart for ministry.
Many Bible Institutes provide far more valuable biblical training than some so-called "Christian" universities that charge exorbitant tuition fees. But the issue here is deeper: a Bible Institute is meant to train men and women for ministry—not to serve as a profit-driven enterprise. It should be a place of education, equipping, and spiritual growth, not a business designed to profit off the gospel. I've heard some justify these high costs by claiming the revenue helps fund other church ministries, but that doesn't change the fact that these financial models stand in stark contrast to the very spirit of what Christ commands us to do. It frustrates me to see the church embracing such structures that only seem to prioritize profit over true service.
In modern Christianity, we've become consumed with the pursuit of success—building ministries, institutions, schools, and various ventures that prioritize the wrong things. In the process, we've lost sight of what it truly means to live by faith. Even in many churches today, including Independent Fundamental Baptist churches, we've adopted a business-minded approach to ministry. The sacred things of God have been reduced to mere transactions, with money being made in the name of Christ, all while claiming to be "doing ministry." Even more troubling is that some of the most well-known preachers within our circles have turned a blind eye to this, offering their approval of these money-driven schemes.
There's something deeply wrong with this. We call people to live by faith, yet do we truly live by faith ourselves? How can we expect the world to follow a faithful God if there's no evidence of that faith in the lives of those who claim to follow Him? If we are to be the light of the world, we must reflect that light in how we live—not by how much we accumulate or how many programs we run. God doesn't call us to measure success by the world's standards; He calls us to be faithful to the people He entrusted us. It's this kind of unshakable faith—faith that doesn't bend under the weight of financial pressures but shines through the way we invest in others—that we need to demonstrate to the world.
The truth is, what the church needs right now is not more programs, costly institutions, schools, or conferences. What it needs is something simpler, something far more powerful—discipleship. Discipleship is the true work of the church, but it's not about classroom settings or expensive degrees. It's about relationships. It's about taking someone under your wing, opening your home to them, and sharing not just your knowledge of God, but your very life. Countless young people—boys and girls—have no father or mother to guide them in each of our communities. They're lost, waiting for someone to invest in them, show them love, and teach them what it truly means to live for Christ.
Instead of pouring money into expensive programs and education, why not look around at the young people in your community and ask God how you can help them grow in their faith? It's not about what we can buy for them but what we can offer them through our lives. Discipleship doesn't happen from a distance. It requires us to open our hearts and homes, treating others like family. This is how we truly demonstrate Christ's love.
As we approach the end of the year, I encourage you to reflect on the state of your church, your ministry, and your own life. Are you truly honoring Christ in all you do, or have worldly ideals subtly crept in and influenced your decisions? Where have you allowed culture to dictate how you do business, lead, and spend your resources? The Bible, not the latest trends or cultural fads, should be our blueprint for ministry. It's time we return to the simplicity of discipleship—where lives are transformed through personal investment, not just programs or institutions.
Yes, it may be uncomfortable. You might even face criticism from others who say, "You're not doing it the way everyone else does." But in the end, you'll have the favor of God in your life, and you'll witness lives being transformed and relationships bonded closer—not because of your financial success, but because of your faithfulness to do things God's way.
May this Christmas season remind you that faithful ministry isn't about financial success or big programs—it's about investing in people. Instead of focusing on high costs and business-minded strategies, let's return to the heart of discipleship. The greatest gift we can give is not measured in money or material things but in our time, love, and personal investment in others. May we choose to honor Christ by doing ministry His way—by pouring His Word and our lives into others and building relationships.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
