Quote from Jordan Echague on June 2, 2025, 2:38 pm

Quote from Eddie on May 26, 2025, 7:06 pm

Brothers,

I think that when Watchman Nee wrote this Chapter, he had in mind to address full-time Ministers who depend on the tithes and donations of church members for their own personal livelihood.  I think this is very common in most Christian and evangelical churches, where the usual heads of these churches, including the pastors and preachers are paid salaries by their churches.  And their ministry is their full-time occupation.

Watchman Nee writes with particular concern for these servant-leaders who face the temptation to do all sorts of things in their ministry in order to further boost their income.  E.g., they may patronize the interests and needs of rich donors, and ignore the pastoral needs of the simpler (less affluent) church members.  Things like this is the kinds of pastoral issues that Watchman Nee is addressing in this chapter.

Is this relevant to us, In Ligaya?  After all, unlike the Pastors and Ministers implied by Watchman Nee in these churches:

• None of us draws income from LNP funds; we serve on a purely voluntary basis;
• We have our own respective sources of livelihood and income;
• In fact, we all tithe from our own personal sources of livelihood and income.

Right?

Well, I believe there are valuable lessons that we can learn here.  Maybe not literally regarding any temptation to make money out of doing our service in Ligaya.  Go through these reflection guides, and you'll know what I mean.

REFLECTION:

1. First of all, READ Numbers 22:1-21, and study that story of Balaam. Also read:  Pet 2: 1-3, 1 Tim 6:3-10, and 2 Cor 8:1-24. 
2. READ the Chapter 9, see attached.  Note: it's a long chapter.  I annotated and put headings and bullet summaries.  Please pay close attention to the first two pages of this Chapter 9 of Watchman Nee.
3. Next, REFLECT on the following:

(a) What are the subtle ways that Satan may influence your motivation for serving -- especially now that you’re taking on more senior and more expansive service responsibilities? Is it possible that you yourself might fall into “the way of Balaam”, and that your heart motivations are self-serving?  g. for influence, for recognition/stature, for emotional fulfillment, or other hidden personal rewards?  Is it possible that you may even distort your pastoral discernment and exhortations in order to avoid being unpopular?

(b) Is it also possible that you would feel entitled to special blessings from the Lord because of how you serve, and how much time and effort you put into service? For example, has it ever crossed your mind to think:  “I’m giving so much of my time and effort -- I deserve special consideration,” or “I’ve served faithfully, so God should bless my career, family, or finances.”  What lessons can you draw from the examples of Peter and Paul in what truly motivated them to serve God’s people?

4.  Please share your answers with your District Coordinator, but kindly post your response in the online forum.  No need to do peer reviews.

GOD BLESS US ALL.

Watchman Nee's reflections and input regarding finances direct Christian servants towards a posture of gratitude. As normal human beings, accumulating wealth for us or for the ministry we serve in can lead to ambition because having plenty makes the ministry easier for everyone involved. And because of this, we as servants need to be wary of boundaries between selflessness and greed. A well-funded project is easier to manage as compared to a project with limited resources. St. Paul reminds us that we should focus on God's plans for the ministry instead of fund-raising and worrying about how we can execute tasks at hand.

a. My ultimate motivation for serving in LNP is the gratitude I have for community because it is through LNP that I have experienced a personal relationship with the Lord. Yet I know that I succumb to the praises and attention received whenever I serve well. Sometimes, I fear that I tend to look forward to rest that comes after the service. Now I ask myself if I prioritised completing the task and not the act of selflessness which I believe is what true service is. This Chapter has exposed this side of me that I did not notice. My first step to selflessness is to see "them" instead of "theirs". I must accept the ministry for what it is and not what it might become. And I must serve the body as God's people instead of looking for potential productive LNP members. 

b. Growing up in a comfortable family environment makes me susceptible to the feeling of entitlement. And because of that, I know that I am prone to grumbling and comparisons. There are many times that I feel left out and would seek the validation of my leaders. Being entrusted with more responsibilities at a young age, there would be times that I question my involvement because I think that I am sacrificing more. Time in service means less time being a young man exploring the world. Time in service also entails time away from things that are essential in life such as family time and overtime at work. If one is a committed leader in community, it is understood that you will be busy on weekends where my peers perceive as a time of rest and recreation.  

St. Peter is an example of how giving everything to God will make you rich in all aspects of your life! When you surrender to God what you have, including your time and your youth, there is promise that God will give you the grace to be joyful and that joy is shared with the people you encounter with everyday. The blessings you receive is multiplied by the people you serve! Instead of making myself happy and renewed, the Lord also grants this joy and renewal to those you share His light to. 

And because of this promise, I am encouraged to give more and to share His grace to those I am with.

 

 

Quote from Alex Filamor on June 19, 2025, 4:18 pm

a) The enemy, satan, will always distract you with his sweet talk as you serve God. It makes you feel so motivated in doing your service, but deep inside,e there is this personal gain that you would like to get from people around. In my experience, I always make sure to call on the Holy Spirit for guidance and protection. As humans, we look for praise and recognition for the things that we do, especially if we know that we did a successful event or service-related. We need to be aware of this and always guard our hearts and minds so that we are reminded that serving in this way is to give Glory and Honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

b) It is possible that we equate our service with reward. I have this experience that I am so much into doing a service and realize that some of the things in my work and family are already affected. I turn to God and conversely saying, "Lord, why are you punishing me? Is it not enough that I have almost put 100% of my time to serve you? The lesson that I learned through my pastoral leader is that we are responsible for the actions that we do on our own free will. God is not equating our service to Him for any kind of reward.

Some lessons from Peter and Paul, that I can apply as I serve;

Make your motivation to exalt Christ, not to enrich yourself,

Refuse any support that would damage the credibility of the gospel, and your integrity.

Christian workers should always be the giver and not the receiver.

Quote from Alan Santos on August 18, 2025, 5:16 pm

a. What are the subtle ways that Satan may influence your motivation for serving -- especially now that you’re taking on more senior and more expansive service responsibilities? Is it possible that you yourself might fall into “the way of Balaam”, and that your heart motivations are self-serving?  e.g. for influence, for recognition/stature, for emotional fulfilment, or other hidden personal rewards?  Is it possible that you may even distort your pastoral discernment and exhortations in order to avoid being unpopular?

1. 1. To be honest, I would rather just serve in the background but as servant leaders, we submit to what is asked from us. And I must admit, there would be occasions when after a service has been done, I sometimes fall into the situation where I look for self-recognition or adulation, where brothers and sisters give you honor for the service that you have given. This is what I pray before a service, that the Lord would bless my service and allow me to give back to Him all the glory and honor for we are only instruments of God.

b. Is it also possible that you would feel entitled to special blessings from the Lord because of how you serve, and how much time and effort you put into service? For example, has it ever crossed your mind to think: “I’m giving so much of my time and effort -- I deserve special consideration,” or “I’ve served faithfully, so God should bless my career, family, or finances.”  What lessons can you draw from the examples of Peter and Paul in what truly motivated them to serve God’s people?

1. Yes, there will be occasions when the feeling of entitlement creeps in but when it does, I come before our Lord to ask for forgiveness. In my service as Sector Servant for the past many years, I have made it a point to always seek the guidance and approval of my elders, making sure that what I am going to do is right. I have learned over the years to just in our Lord in all circumstances. He may or may not answer me but whatever happens, I know that He is watching over my family and I.
2. Peter and Paul both truly loved the Lord, like them, loving God allows you to give unceasingly in both service and resources. To love the Lord with your all your strength, might and soul.