Giving an Offering for a Word
Though a prophet may receive a monetary blessing when giving a person a word from God, he is not to be mistaken for a hireling. A prophet who is a hireling will give a false prophecy at the request of a supporter for monetary gain.
In contrast to these false prophets, there are men of God who desire to only speak God’s words and to reveal God’s plans for the people. These men receive their spiritual blessing from God and their financial blessing came from God’ people.
Old Testament Times
In the Old Testament we find that the Lord commanded Samuel, a prophet of God, to prophesy over a young man who would be coming his way around lunchtime. The Lord indicated that this young man’s name was Saul and he would be looking for his father’s lost donkeys.
“As Saul and his servant wandered around looking for the lost donkeys, the servant spoke up and said, “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.” I Samuel 9:6
As it was in the Old Testament it is today; it is not evil to seek a prophet for spiritual guidance or direction from God.
Then Saul said to his servant, “But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread in our vessels is all gone, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”I Samuel 9:7
Then Saul’s servant said, “Look, I have here at hand one fourth of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way. ”I Samuel 9:8
In this and other scriptures throughout the Bible, God has shown us that we must support his prophets. These men of old had conviction that they must bless the prophet, Samuel, for his intercession. God wants His people to be cheerful in giving.
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ”II Corinthians 9:6, 7