I knew a minister who evaluated whether he would spend time with people based on how they could add to his ministry. His ministry was measured by the influence and numbers of people who listened to him and sought him to speak at gatherings. How is this any different from an online influencer on the internet who seeks to build a following marketing their influence? In terms of worldly wisdom, “time is money”, therefore, we should be careful in our use of it, particularly for those who have others willing to offer something in exchange for our time. A sales executive told his peers, “Let me buy your coffee, I don’t have time to take a break and drink it with you, my time is too valuable.” Of course, he was making a point – the sales force needs to constantly focus on generating money, anything else is a waste we can’t afford. The minister’s focus was on increasing influence otherwise known as popularity, fame, notoriety and demand. What factor money plays in these measures may not be quantifiable, but it is definitely related.

What was the nature and characteristics of Yeshua’s ministry? First, He constantly spent time in prayer alone and together seeking the will of His Father. He said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19) His brothers assumed He was trying to reach the largest public following, advising,“No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” (John 7:4) Yeshua did the opposite and hid from crowds when He could. He told the recipients of His miracles not to tell anyone He did it, but go give the thank offering to God, as scripture directed. He spent time with outcasts, tax collectors and sinners. His own disciples questioned why He was talking to a Samaritan woman. Why would He spend two days with an a small village of Samaritans, when the Jewish leadership and society spurned them? Yeshua didn’t collaborate and seek to ingratiate himself or secure the favor and respect of the leaders and influential people of his day. Lastly and most importantly, He did not raise funds. He owned only the clothes he wore. He did not manage what was given and He did not ask or express any need for money. When He could have used it, He asked His disciples how much money would it take to feed a crowd of five thousand, then fed them miraculously. You may say, but He was God in the flesh, but His disciples did the same, saying, “Silver and Gold we don’t have but what I do have I give you,” and they healed a lame man. (Acts 3:6) At least, two disciples in modern times have done the same, Hudson Taylor, missionary to China and George Mueller, English Orphanage minister. You decide for yourself, whether the Ministry of Yeshua has any relationship to what we see from Christian Ministers and Church organizations, today. Is the world seeking what can be bought with money from Yeshua or eternal life He offers?