As a Bible teacher, I’ve traveled to many different countries to share the Scriptures. On many of those trips, I haven’t stayed in hotels but in people’s homes. Believers in Jesus opened their homes, providing me with food and lodging. Although we were strangers before I arrived, my hosts welcomed me, showering me with love and hospitality.
As a missionary, the apostle Paul also depended on the support of many churches and believers in Christ (Acts 16:15; Romans 16:23; 2 Corinthians 11:8-9). Some Corinthian believers didn’t want to support Paul, however, because they didn’t consider him to be a true apostle (1 Corinthians 9:1-3).
Expressing his rationale for the right to receive such support, Paul pointed to the marketplace in which workers earned their living (1 Corinthians 9:7). He then noted that the ox treading out grain wasn’t muzzled, but could take a few bites of the grain (1 Corinthians 9:8-9; Deuteronomy 25:4). Likewise, the one serving God as a pastor or teacher was to receive support from other believers so to continue in his efforts to feed the flock. Paul reminded the Corinthians it was the Lord Jesus who commanded that “those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it” (1 Corinthians 9:14).
Let’s remember that “those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them” (Galatians 6:6). Every week, we have the privilege of “[putting] aside a portion of the money [we] have earned” to support our local church and other kingdom work (1 Corinthians 16:2). As we support others who are serving Jesus, we’re serving Him—the One who came to serve and sacrifice His very life for us. Let’s give as God provides.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 6:14-29
More:
Read Romans 15:25-27 to see how the believers in Macedonia and Achaia generously supported the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.
Next:
Besides supporting the ministers and ministries of your home church, how else might you support other local and global kingdom-building efforts? How does our generous giving reflect the heart of God?
darylcrisp on July 16, 2017 at 3:43 am
this was so timely and appropriate for a current situation in talking with someone about this very thing of giving and how it reflects the heart of God.
the verses of 1 Cor 9:14 and Galatians 6:6 you provided was exactly what I needed.
thank you so much for this message
d
Gary Shultz on July 16, 2017 at 6:10 am
Hi KT: It is true, and has been explained, as you did, that we should support those who minister to us. Is it also that giving comes in two forms? We have regular giving and support that each believer should participate in, then we are told that giving is also a gift from the Spirit. So, are some gifted to give, living out their lives as a source to bless others by their giving? It is one of the most unusual activities because it is difficult, at least to me, to know when you cross from the regular into a gift. I doubt if it is a worriment because we should all be looking to give when we can, gifted or not, it is as you say, the sustainer of the spreading of good news and growth in the ranks of the “body of Christ”. I hope it is often an expression of our love and appreciation to be able to support the faith that redeemed our lives. Thanks KT
jjw2855 on July 16, 2017 at 10:05 pm
Generous giving does reflect the heart of God. 2nd Corinthians 9: 7 & 8 reads, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”. And yes God does multiply whatever we give generously, and uses it in the furthering of His work. The miracle of five loaves and two fishes in all the Gospels, shows what God can do with our giving. Giving also includes, our body as living sacrifice to God, our time, our talents etc. We are only giving back to God a tiny portion of what He gave us. All praise be to our might God.