“Why”, do you ask, “do you have a guideline encouraging proper diet, exercise, and handling your money wisely included in an outreach program?” Because you can be more effective in outreach if you are not weak, sick, or strapped in the stress of debt. We are soldiers in training to rescue others from these type things. Paul said, “I endure all things for the elects sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2Tim.2.10). This program is not about you and I—it is about others. Paul kept his body, his temple, under strict control so he could be most effective in reaching others. So are we to do the same, but, with our focus kept on Jesus and reaching others, and not on keeping our body under.
     “Well”, you say, “people go weird on nutrition and stuff”. Yes, people do. They also go weird on faith, but we do not quit teaching faith. We just give the truth and the balance so people can learn to use their faith for maximum fruitfulness.
     Our mind, bodies, and general lifestyle are all tools in the hands of the Lord to reach the world with His love and power. If we are a dull tool, God’s ability is hindered from working through us. “A wise man sharpens his ax”.
    We want to be a sharp axe in the hands of the Lord to reap the harvest.
    This is only a Guideline to prompt you in the right avenues to do what needs to be done for your body for it’s long-term, trouble-free operation. There is much information available in the marketplace. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and do what is best for your body.
    “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1Cor.6.19,20).
    The body you are using is God’s body, God’s temple in which you live. When it comes to what you are doing with your body--what you are putting into your body, onto your body, how you are maintaining your body and what you are doing with your body--you can just ask the question: Is this something that is doing the maximum good for God’s body/my body, for long-term usefulness to the glory of God?
    “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1Cor.3.17).
    God takes seriously what is done with the bodies that he gives us. Jesus died to give us abundant life, and He was beaten that we might have healing and health, and if we are not taking care of our body then we are working against God in that area and opening ourselves to be judged.
    If we are busy being under the judgement of God, we do not have our focus and passion for lost souls. We are a dull ax.
    So, we want to take care of our body.
     We want to keep our thoughts in line with the Word.
     We want to keep our confessions in line with the Word.
     We want to be trustworthy with our money so that won’t be a stress. And, speaking of money, what could be done if the same money that the church spends on the medical industry was invested in missions? I daresay, there would be no lack for missions.
     All this is involved in taking care of the temple of God and being a sharp ax for the harvest.

Thought Life/Conscience—All positive thoughts; keep a clear conscience.
Confessions—All positive, filled with the Word of God.
Nutrition/Physical—Wholesome food, avoid the bad stuff, get plenty of exercise and rest, and drink plenty of water. Keep inward parts cleansed.
Finances—Use wisdom.

 “I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies—presenting all your members and faculties—as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world—this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs. But be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind—by its new ideals and its new attitude—so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]” (Rom.12.1,2 Amplified Bible).

 “Not slothful in business…[Pay] taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due…keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another” (Rom.12.11KJV; 13.6-8 Amplified Bible).

     God had mercy on us and rescued us from our sin and hell. It just makes good sense, and it is an act of worship to God, to take care of the temple of God, that He has purchased to be His own for His own use, in such a way so that He can have many years of service from us. He just desires to bless us. If we will cooperate with Him in our lifestyle in a rational way, He will be able to bless us all the days of our lives, and, use us as an instrument of blessing to bless many others. This is His will for you.