Measure What You Value!

Which do you value more: disciples or money?

My guess is your immediate response is disciples – of course, disciples are the priority! Yet, my second guess is when you struggle to sleep, it is most likely about money and bills. Am I correct?

As I’ve traveled to many countries and islands, I’ve noticed that the priority of multiplying disciples in some parts of the world is much higher than in other places. Why might this be? I believe that when there is an emphasis on disciples, it is because there is less money available.

In well-resourced parts of the world, money tends to go into buildings and programs. Success can seemingly be measured with these obvious and impressive results. But I don’t hear how the disciple-making is happening. Are the buildings and programs producing disciples who multiply themselves? It is rare to hear this feedback.

I think it was far easier in the New Testament church to make disciples who made disciples because money was in short supply.

Today, in countries where ministry and mission funds are limited, it can operate more like the first-century church.

For those who live in the developed world, the question may be, "How do we increase the priority in our churches and agencies on making disciples who make disciples?"

How do we demonstrate that we are actually creating spiritually mature disciples who are making disciples as we spend money on buildings and programs? I continually ask this question of myself and my ministry.

Scripture to Ponder – Matthew 28:19

"Jesus said, 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'"

Key Lesson: Think about what you are measuring!

Do we measure how many indicated a faith decision? Do we measure attendance? Do we measure buildings and programs? Or do we measure disciples who make disciples?