2 Corinthians 8:1-24 KJV
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.
18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.
23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

What is supply? What Is readiness of mind? This year of 2022 as been hard on many people. Yet those alive to tell it know they survived another rough year and time of renewal of what is life really about and what are their plans for their future. The readiness of mind is about supply, but also about creativity when dealing with all sorts of people in ministry. Paul became poor to reach the poor, and wealthy in spirit and mind to reach the wealthy. There are people that look at the poor as being ignorant and the wealthy as having intelligency to do something to gain wealth. Both are ignorant without the Lord. Some people are feed with a wood or silver spoon in life. It not about intelligents, it about willingness to go forward despite the situation you find yourself in. It about being able to talk to people from all walks of life to handle the needs of others as well as your own. Some of the poorest mind are richest in God's world and some that rich in this world lacking the need of God in their life.

When learning to work in ministry you often have to lay your own need down long enough to supply someone else that is in need of spiritual help. Titus was a helper in ministry not just a man in ministry but also going about getting supplies or financial needs being meet for not just himself but those he worked with in ministry. Something a minister needs is supply. Yet he often not afraid to go without if need be. What is supply but the ability to be ready to know how to go about getting the supplies needed for the journey. The work ethics for the supply or need. It not just the altar but going out and working for the supply.

I talking about two things here, supply in the work of the ministry and the supply for physical needs of those you are aiding or helping in their journey as ministers of faith. The church world has long been supplying for ministers, some in rich churches in the world and others supply for the littlest church in the world. Then the supply from the pulpit meets the needs of each individual rich or poor. To say you have not, means you might have enough tomorrow for what the need is. but the spiritual needs are met rich or poor. The yokefellow in ministry Titus knew how to be a helper in the storms of ministry, the showers of blessings in ministry and in supply of physical need being met.

A readiness of mind to deal with and go forward in every situation that presented. To know how to handle the problems set before you. The other day when my refrig when out I had to think on the past what items might have to be tossed out and what could be salvaged with ice pack. And no one got sick off Christmas ham baked the night before Christmas and we had it for seven days and we demolished it. Refrige was out over 48 hours. What is my point you either know how to survive in a bad situation or you do not. If I had not a deep freezer this problem would of been a little harder to cope with. Those without freezers would or could buy ice, but it would take buying ice twice a day probably to do what I did. There is point sometimes the situation looks grim, but reality is can you survive with what you have. Can you make do in the situation you are presented with. I been in a few altar calls. One I was totally not prepared for, until one day about six months later the lady that I minister to at the altar decided to call me. How she got my number is a mystery in itself I can not remember, maybe I gave it to her. She called me and asked if I remember the altar call where I prayed for her daughter. She told me I was right what I said. It blew me away why, because though I use to God's Spirit speaking to my own heart, I was never prepared to speak words of comfort to a mother or that it be so what I said without my own knowledge. I speaking because in ministry the minister often puts his own neck out if prophetic. I do not consider myself prophetic but I try hard to obey the Lord when and especially when out of my elements.

Is that confession I was not ready for the work God had on my life at the moment, perhaps and yet I stepped up to the plate and did what God asked, not because a minister asked, because man will fail if they do not obey God and not man. God is moving spiritually in your life, you only need to be obedient even when you are standing in the need of prayer for ministry. It is time of praising God when he speaks to your heart and you obey and he allows you to know about your obedience helping another. However as Christ said do not be amazed at the signs and wonders in your ministry, but be happy you know God has writen your name in the book of life. Paul needed people that understood the needs of setting up a church, working with all kinds of people, and people he need to know was anointed by the Holy Spirit for that call. A call of a ready mind. A mind ready to take on the task presented to them. If handed a plate of problems they know how to accomplish the task to take care of the needs of the people.

I think of missionaries going with their own hands into the mission field, not sure if supply would come, or if they could handle the proverty in which they entered. Nor the wealth of those that had supply and could pay for what you preached on Sunday morning, in others words put words in your mouth instead of obeying God. When a minister refuses money(filthy lucred) instead exchanging it for obey God he stepped up to the plate of his calling to obey God; despite the conforts the money could bring to himself. He cared more about the flock of God then the wealth of life on this earth. What convinces a minister to have a ready mind for the work of God despite the wealth others could hand him? First he knows his name is writen in the book of life. It has to do with the call and obedience to God and willing to do the will of God, knowing God will use another means to accomplish the need in a persons life. How is your supply coming? By the will of God the will of man. If man controlling your pulpit get out of the oven, because you must obey the Lord, to experience the knowledge of reward. God will minister to the individual if what he/she is doing is of him. Will speak the words of encouragement need in difficult situations. You can only be responsible for your own actions, so better to have a ready mind and ready spirit in obedience to the Lord. Titus apparently knew how to get work if needed and knew how to minister beside Paul. His faith intact, his faith strong by the will of God working in his life.

Do you have a willing mind for the work God has called you to. Do you know how to supply the things needed in ministry by hard work as well as love for others. Not regarding your own needs but regarding the aid to another. Sometimes we ourselves need to know God's supply was granted so we know to continue in the work God calls a person too. Do you feel out of your league, God will supply for that need to be filled in your life to know your walking down the right pathway. Are you willing to be uncomfortable in ministry to learn to obey God and allow his provision to be enough, then you will be a good minister and hopefully one willing to obey the Lord because you have a ready mind willing to do the will of God.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your supply and help each minister to have a ready mind in the work you called them to do in the church world. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: 1 Peter 5:1-4 KJV
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.