Devotion 107

Mat 10:40-42
(40) He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
(41) He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
(42) And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

1Ti 5:17-18
(17) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
(18) For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Jesus said that if we receive the prophet in the name of the prophet we will receive the prophet’s reward and that means we need to recognize the prophets (ministers) in our midst and honor them by supplying their needs. It also means that if we receive or honor the evangelist or mercy worker in the name of the evangelist or mercy worker that we will receive the same rewards as them. God will give us the same rewards that those people were going to get for their labors simply because we work with them to do what God has called them to do. This sounds to me like a good deal, doesn’t it? John can go to the bush and get stung by mozzies to tell people about Jesus and I can share in his reward simply because I partnered with him. I did not get stung but I got the rewards, wow.

Paul said in 1 Tim 5:17-18 that the elders who rule well should receive a double honorarium for their efforts in preaching the Word. There are many missionaries, preachers, relief workers and servants that are reaching out to people who do not have much to contribute to their work, or they are doing ministry work that does not generate an income, but they are working hard and laying down their own careers and ambitions to serve people. These people are doing this work based on a call from God and not based on own desires for wealth and riches. It is the privilege of those with an income to share with those who are laboring for the sake of the Gospel and if everyone is doing this then the Gospel will be preached all over the world in no time. These missionaries and preachers are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet and if you took the time to listen to their stories you will be moved to tears by their sacrifices and their love for others.

I believe that we need to start honoring the men and women who are laboring for the sake of the gospel and we should strengthen them by being generous towards them. There are so many missionaries and Pastors that I know that are incapacitated in their work because they don’t have access to finances. It was and will always be God’s plan to use His body to provide for the preaching of the gospel and when we as a church are not faithful in that then the work of the Lord suffers. We can act as the voices for those in ministry to exhort others to contribute to their needs, just like I am challenging you now.

Friend, I want to exhort you to be generous towards your Pastor, your church, the missionary you know and towards the ministries that care for the poor and needy. These people need you and you need them. Remember the opening scripture that says you will receive the same reward as you support them. Let us act as a real body and carry the food all the way through the body to every part. The arms can’t hold back all the food, it must pass to the hands and the legs must let it pass through to the feet.

Let us see the church equipped and going into all nations with the Good News of Jesus, unhindered by lack and needs. I decided years ago to play an active part in spreading the Gospel to the ends of the world and therefore I put my money where my mouth is by supporting missionaries financially and by contributing to my local church. Will you join me please and do the same?