DYNAMICS TOWARDS ABUNDANT LIVING (Joh 10:10) PART 2
DYNAMIC #4
HONOUR GOD’S SERVANTS THROUGH GENEROUS GIVING!
The Word of God is very clear to us, we must give to those who teach and preach the Word of God!
Gal 6:6-10 6 Let him who receives instruction in the Word [of God] share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his support]. 7 Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked [a]by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and [b]that only is what he will reap. 8 For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. 10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[c]morally] to all people [not only [d]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].
When we are fed the Word of God we are to bless those who minister the word to us! We certainly do not go and eat at a restaurant and the leave without paying…! You can try it, but I guarantee you that you won’t even reach the front door…! Or we don’t buy bread at a big grocery store and then decide to give the payment to some other store down the road… no matter how good our intensions or reasons might be the principle remains.
Where we are fed is where we should give! From who we receive is to whom we should give! This is Old and New Testament concept and can be found in both. Those who are called to minister spiritual things are to be supported by those they minister spiritual things to!
1 Cor 9:11-14 11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? 12 If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we [have a still better and greater claim]? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread] of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]? 14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.We as minister’s of the Word are to give and devote ourselves to the teaching, reading and studying the Scriptures and not to become entangled in the affairs of this life (2 Tim 2:4) we are not to be engaged and getting involved in business affairs as a way of life, struggling daily to generate income, but to be bringing God to the people! He has called us to minister, we need to be devoted and obedient unto Him! Getting involved and distracted with things not related to our call can compromise and influence the call on our lives. Easily the enemy can get a foot in the door and re-direct the original plan God had in store. That is why those who are not called to a ministerial lifestyle are to support those who are!
3 Joh 1:6-8 6 They have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way worthy of God’s [service]. 7 For these [traveling missionaries] have gone out for the Name’s sake (for His sake) and are accepting nothing from the Gentiles (the heathen, the non-Israelites). 8 So we ourselves ought to support such people [to welcome and provide for them], in order that we may be fellow workers in the Truth (the whole Gospel) and cooperate with its teachers.Those who are not called to preach and teach the Word can partner with those who are by blessing them generously. This is how God looks after these men and woman. They receive no help from the world, so we the “church” must be their support and supply. When we “receive” these ministers (literally, support, underwrite, to undertake and take care) we become partners with them in what they are accomplishing in God’s Kingdom. When we support ministries, we are considered by God to be fulfilling the same ministry as those who are reaching the lost and building up the church.
Therefore it is important that we bless those who minister the Word and Spirit with generosity that reflects the attitude of Christ towards His faithful servants!
The Prophet’s Reward
Mat 10:40-41 40 He who receives and welcomes and accepts you receives and welcomes and accepts Me, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts Me receives and welcomes and accepts Him Who sent Me. 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.Helping a ministry to achieve its God-given purpose causes us to be included in the rewards that ministry receives. We can expect to receive the same rewards God has planned for it. In the third letter of John, which is addressed to Gaius, John pronounced prosperity and health over Gaius because of the prosperity of his soul. The abundance of his soul was manifested in the way he looked after the itinerant ministers. His abundant hospitality and generosity was truly noticed!
What the Word of God is saying is: That if we look after a prophet or a servant of God not just as an ordinary person but also as an anointed person of God, then we will receive the same kind of reward that the prophet or servant receives. God is very deeply interested in your life becoming blessed and overflowing in abundance and not lacking anything! And for this He reveals and unmasks the way for us to obtain these blessings. One of them is to honour His servants with generous giving which ultimately open up a new dimension of God’s provision and blessing in our own lives!
Heavenly Father I thank you for your Word that is infallible and ever true! Help us to have an open and generous hand towards your servants as we choose to sow and bless their lives and ministries. I thank you for supplying seed for us to sow and that we will obtain the full harvest and reward thereof! I thank you for every blessing and provision that I and this ministry receive. I declare over you a time of outpouring of blessings and rewards as you sow! Be catapulted towards breakthrough and destiny, His fullness and provision in every area of your life!
In Jesus Christ Name!
Amen!
