3jo 06_08 Why Should We Support Missionaries
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 (
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!