Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:7-11
I can’t imagine all that Paul went through in order to fulfill God’s purpose
through him. Not only did he face persecution from his enemies, but he also
experienced rejection and conflict from those who claimed to share his faith.
In these verses, it appears that some of the Christians in Corinth were taking
Paul for granted. He was working for them, expecting nothing in return. But,
perhaps that wasn’t in their best interest. The
Message paraphrases:
I wonder, did I make a bad mistake in proclaiming God's Message to you without
asking for something in return, serving you free of charge so that you wouldn't
be inconvenienced by me? It turns out that the other churches paid my way so
that you could have a free ride. Not once during the time I lived among you did
anyone have to lift a finger to help me out. My needs were always supplied by
the believers from Macedonia province. I was careful never to be a burden to
you, and I never will be, you can count on it. With Christ as my witness, it's a
point of honor with me, and I'm not going to keep it quiet just to protect you
from what the neighbors will think. It's not that I don't love you; God knows I
do.
Sometimes, it seems those in Christian leadership just can’t win. Some complain
when those workers are too self-sufficient. Others complain when ministers or
missionaries ask for support.
We who follow Christ and who are not called to ministries that require
financial support should be willing to give to those who are. Love offerings.
Monthly contributions. We must not look at supporting these workers as a
burden. They’re serving God as they’ve been called to do. And they do it out of
love for God … and for those they’re serving.
Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Few of us are called to leave our homes and venture out to spread the gospel.
In fact, it’s often joked about when we talk about areas of giftedness: “I’ll
do anything for You, Lord, but don’t send me to the mission field.”
Full-time missionary workers often give up everything they hold near and dear.
They leave their homes, their families, their friends. They go to foreign,
often hostile, lands. They’re faced with strange customs, traditions, and
foods. They usually don’t make much money and, in fact, are dependent upon
others to provide their support.
And they do it earnestly, readily, and diligently. They do “what is honorable,
not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of man.”
I have several friends who have listened to God’s voice and His call to
full-time missions work. In fact, my middle-born nephew and his wife and infant
son will soon be leaving to work full-time in Latvia. They’d be the first to
tell you it can be tough. Some are in countries that are so anti-Christ, they
can’t openly share God’s word. Some live in harsh climates. Others work in
“regular” jobs as well as perform their missionary duties.
They do this while we sit in comfort in our familiar homes with our familiar
things and our familiar friends. So what can we do to help? More than anything,
we need to pray for them diligently—much more diligently than we probably do.
We need to lift them up daily to God’s throne, praying for protection,
strength, and provision. And if possible, we need to support them financially.
Because while not all of us are called to the mission field, all of us are called
to pray for our brothers and sisters, including those who serve—both here and
abroad.
Today’s
scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Few of us are called to leave our homes and venture out to spread the gospel.
In fact, it’s often joked about when we talk about areas of giftedness: “I’ll
do anything for You, Lord, but don’t send me to the mission field!”
Full-time missionary workers often give up everything they hold near and dear.
They leave their homes, their families, their friends. They go to foreign,
often hostile, lands. They’re faced with strange customs, traditions, and
foods. They usually don’t make much money and, in fact, are dependent upon
others to provide their support.
And they do it earnestly, readily, and diligently. They do “what is honorable,
not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of man.”
I have several friends who have listened to God’s voice and His call to
full-time missions work. They’d be the first to tell you it can be tough. Some
are in countries that are so anti-Christ, they can’t openly share God’s word.
Some live in harsh climates. Others work in “regular” jobs as well as perform
their missionary duties.
They do this while we sit in comfort in our familiar homes with our familiar
things and our familiar friends. So what can we do to help? More than anything,
we need to pray for them diligently—much more diligently than we probably do. We
need to lift them up daily to God’s throne, praying for protection, strength,
and provision. And if possible, we need to support them financially.
Because while not all of us are called to the mission field, all of us are
called to pray for our brothers and sisters, including those who serve—both
here and abroad.
