Not for Hire

Preaching Because We Love Him

There’s a difference between those who preach because it’s a job and those who preach because it burns in their bones. Some preach to secure a paycheck. Others preach because heaven won’t let them be silent. In a day where pulpits are platforms and ministries are brands, God is raising up voices that are not for sale. We don’t preach to survive. We preach because we’re alive.

Jeremiah twenty verse nine

But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones

Jeremiah didn’t sign a contract. He didn’t chase a title or negotiate salary. He preached because the Word was like fire in his bones. That’s how it is for the real ones. When you’ve been marked by God, silence becomes torment. You preach, not to build a life, but because you’ve been ruined for anything else.

First Corinthians nine sixteen

Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel

Paul wasn’t in ministry because it was a good career path. He was compelled by love. The fear of man didn’t drive him, but the awe of Christ did. You can tell when someone is preaching out of obligation. You can also tell when someone is carrying eternity in their voice. The ones who say woe is me are the ones you better listen to.

John ten thirteen

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep

A hireling flees when it gets hard. He’s in it for the check. But a true shepherd lays down his life. Ministry for hire is ministry that flees when the wolves come. It doesn’t stand in the gap. It doesn’t bleed for the sheep. The ones who preach because they love Him don’t run when it costs. They bleed, they fight, and they stay.

Acts twenty thirty three through thirty five

I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing… these hands of mine have supplied my own needs

Paul worked with his hands. He built tents. He didn’t build empires. He didn’t manipulate his way into comfort. He labored in the Spirit and in the natural. Why? Because he didn’t want anyone thinking he was in it for the money. Some of us need to go back to that posture—preach the Gospel, even if no one gives you a dime. God takes care of those He sends.

Micah three eleven

Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money

Micah called it out. This isn’t a new problem. Ministry has long been corrupted by money. Prophets turned into psychics. Preachers became entertainers. But the Lord has always had a remnant. Voices that don’t bend to Babylon. Preachers who don’t charge for prophecy. Shepherds who don’t trade conviction for a cash app.

Matthew ten eight

Freely you have received, freely give

You didn’t buy the anointing. You didn’t purchase the oil. So don’t sell it. You didn’t earn the revelation, it was given to you. So give it. Preach it. Cry it. Shout it. But don’t package it as a product. Don’t turn what was freely received in the secret place into something commodified in the public square. If you love Him, you’ll give it away without counting the cost.

Second Corinthians two seventeen

Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit

There it is—Paul drew the line. We are not like them. There’s a distinction. The Kingdom is not a hustle. The Word is not a brand. We are not entrepreneurs of eternity. We are stewards. Ambassadors. Lovers. We speak for Heaven, not to earn, but because we’ve been captured. If you’re in it for money, you’re not in it for Jesus.

Galatians one ten

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God

If it’s about crowds, you’ll compromise. If it’s about applause, you’ll dilute the message. But if it’s about obedience, you’ll preach even when no one shows up. You’ll speak truth even when it costs your platform. Love for God will keep your voice holy when pressure tries to bend it. The fear of the Lord must weigh more than the fear of empty seats.

Isaiah six eight

Here am I. Send me

Isaiah didn’t ask for a guarantee. He didn’t need insurance or a budget. He didn’t ask how many followers he’d get. He was wrecked in the glory and said yes. That’s how it works when you see Him. When you’re undone, your response isn’t professional—it’s passionate. You go because you love Him. You speak because He touched you. The call is about obedience, not opportunity.

Matthew six twenty four

You cannot serve God and money

You’ve got to pick one. You can’t serve both. If money drives your message, your message is already compromised. If platform is your god, Jesus is not your King. The Gospel doesn’t serve Mammon. The real preachers burn for a kingdom you can’t monetize. They’re not trying to make a living, they’re laying one down.

We don’t preach because we need the income. We preach because we’ve been overcome. The love of Christ constrains us. The fear of the Lord compels us. The Word burns inside us. This is not our job, it’s our joy, our obsession, our covenant. You can take the stage, the followers, the support… but you can’t take the fire.

Let them build churches like corporations. Let them charge for prophecy and merchandise their ministries. But we will preach because He’s worthy. We will cry aloud because we’ve seen Him. We will not bow to the god of this age or turn His holy altar into a business plan.

We preach because we love Him

Because He first loved us

Because we said yes when He called

Because silence would betray the One who found us in the fire

And we’ll keep preaching, even if it costs us everything

Because He is everything

Brother Andrew

If you feel led to partner with what God is doing through this ministry, we invite you to sow into this work as the Spirit leads. Your generosity helps us continue to share His love and truth with others. There is no obligation, only an opportunity to join in what God is building. Thank you for considering being a part of this journey.

https://awaken-ministries.com/home/donate/