Paul and the early church disciples had a lot to share about supernatural events that commonly took place within their ministries. Spiritual gifts were at work within them by the power of the risen Christ and his anointing. God confirmed his word with signs following. They healed the sick; they raised the dead.When Jesus taught his disciples to freely give away what they had freely received, what kind of giving do you think that he was talking about? Did they receive a lot of money from Jesus to give to the poor? Was it some valuable self help technique, a miracle drug, or the key to financial freedom?
What exactly happened to the disciples that suddenly enabled them to give, and what was it that they had to give?
When Jesus was being anointed with oil the question was asked, "Could not this ointment have been sold for a lot of money and given to the poor? Jesus responded, "The poor you have with you always." Isn’t it interesting that today we still make that same mistake? We skip the anointing to form other programs. We sometimes give what is within our own power and resourcefulness, rather than yielding to God’s anointing for what only He can give. Abraham did this with Hagar.
As followers of Christ, we should always remember the poor but never as a replacement for the anointing. We provide food, shelter, and medicine, while ignoring the anointing of God’s Holy Spirit to bring salvation, healing and deliverance.
The book of James speaks of a faith made perfect by the giving of our substance, such as a blanket or a meal. Faith without works is dead. The supply of faith for supernatural aid should be in balance with a supply of faith for natural aid and vice versa. Natural assistance should not outweigh faith for supernatural assistance. To exclude ‘either or’ would cause an imbalance in our faith causing it to become incomplete.
A faith made perfect is one that not only offers financial assistance, but also by faith offers supernatural assistance through the anointing. When there is no anointing, it brings about the exclusion of miracles and reduces the supernatural to the natural, causing what we see today.
It was the anointing that brought about victory for the children of Israel when Moses lifted his hands toward them in battle. It had nothing to do with natural ability or how he looked, acted or spoke. It was the anointing.
Paul said he did not come with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Jesus said you would receive power after the Holy Ghost had come upon you. He also said seek and ye shall find.
As saints of the most high God we should press into the supernatural things of God and lay hold of them. They are attainable. Just because we can’t make a miracle happen is no reason to stop believing in them.
Seek the anointing because without it, not much happens.
Pastor Tilson
