Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
(3 John 1:5-8, NKJV)
Jesus said that the second greatest commandment was that we love our neighbors as ourselves. Providing hospitality to fellow Christians is one way we can show love to others. We should both “receive” and “send out” our brothers and sisters (whether they’re part of our local congregation or “strangers”) with generous support.
This could mean financial support of missionaries. Or providing a place to stay for a traveling praise team. Or bringing dinner to a convalescing church member.
It also means praying for others. Diligently. Persistently. Consistently. And as I write these words, I’m convicted yet again. I try to pray for my “fellow workers” regularly, but I’m not as consistent with this intervention as I should be. I’m not “faithfully” doing what I ought.
I need to be—you need to be—ready to provide whatever I can to support my brothers and sisters. I need to be open to whatever God asks of me.
And doing so, I’m fulfilling that second greatest commandment. I’m being faithful. I’m showing God’s love. I’m a “fellow worker for the truth.”
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