Sep 18
23
WHY SHOULD WE SUPPORT MISSIONARIES?
(III John 6-8)
Many answers are given to that question in the Word of God. But the
Apostle here gives four excellent reasons for doing so. Having commended
Gaius for his good work in this regard, John encourages him to continue
with these reasons:
1. IT IS A WORK PLEASING TO GOD. John told Gaius that when one of God’s
servants came through town, not only was he to care for him while he was
there, but he was to “bring forward” on his journey. That is to say, he
was to provide such things as the preacher needed to carry on his
mission. This is a “godly sort” of work. The margin reads, “worthy of
God”. It is a work with which God is pleased. God delights to see those
who love Christ showing their love by generosity toward his servants.
2. WE SHOULD DO IT “FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE”. There is one thing that
compels the true servant of God to take his wife and children to a far
off place to preach the gospel, leaving relatives and friends behind. He
has a burning jealousy for the name of Christ. He preaches the gospel so
that men everywhere may bow down, trust, and worship at the name of
Christ (Rom. 1:1, 5). Our Lord is so highly honored by the service of
such men that he says that, what we do for them, we do for him (Mt.
10:40-42).
3. THEY HAVE NO OTHER MEANS OF SUPPORT. “They went forth taking nothing
of the Gentiles.” Our Lord expressly forbids his servants to beg for
support, especially from the unbeliever (Mt. 10:5-10; Luke 10:1-7). And
Paul condemned those pretentious servants of Christ who merely peddled
the gospel (II Cor. 2:7; I Thess. 2:5-9). You can mark this down, if God
is in a work, God will support it through the generosity of his people.
And no servant of God should have to provide a piece of bread for
himself. The people of God ought to take care of him. What man goes to
war at his own expense? Surely, the laborer is worthy of his reward!
4. What is more, by our loving, and generous support of God’s servants –
WE BECOME “FELLOW-HELPERS TO THE TRUTH” When we supply a man’s needs so
that he can preach the gospel, we become allies with him in the work:
What a privilege!
Don Fortner