In Acts 13, the Holy Ghost said to the church at Antioch, separate unto me Barnabus and Saul. It was not the denominational headquarters that approved Barnabus and Saul. It was not the denomination that said they are now approved to be missionaries. It was the local church that approved these men to be missionaries. 

This is why I believe that the biblical setup of today of having a missionary sent out from the local church is correct according to the scriptures. I believe missionaries are responsible to the local church and then reporting back to the local church, which is the pillar and ground of truth and this is the way God intended and designed in His Word.  

I love today’s verse as it gives a pretty clean instruction of our responsibility when in the house of God. The Bible tells us in I Corinthians that the local church was self-governing in matters of sin and policy. Sometimes people carry a secular idea into the matter. People say, “Well, you know I am sorta like a stockholder around here.” You and I are a stockholder in NOTHING. My friend, Jesus owns it all! 

People want to give their $20 a week and then try to have a $2,000 a week influence. I don’t know who gives what. You might give $20 or you might give $2,000 and what you feel from your heart is equally important to this pastor. We need to make a mental note that we are not the owners of this church. 

Jesus owns it all – AMEN!