When I start talking about money, I have to admit I have questions I'd like to ask when we get beyond the valley of tears and into the promised land. By the time we get there, we'll probably have such clarity that the questions will no longer exist, but one I'd like to ask is this: "Lord, why do you tie money and ministry together?"

I've watched many Christian workers try to separate them by saying, "I'm interested in the ministry and I'm willing to dedicate my life to it, but I don't want to be in the money."

I've had several wealthy friends, converted late in life who were asked to participate in prayer and counsel. They were very disillusioned when they learned prayer and counsel simply meant money.

I've also wondered why we have a tendency to use the best-known human methods to raise money for divine causes. I personally believe there is a scriptural way to raise and use money; but apparently our need for money is so intense we are loath to swap visible power for invisible power. God's ...