For his name's sake they went forth

Bible Reading: 3 John

3 John 1:7-8 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Missionaries have gone forth preaching the message of the gospel since the very first days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These believers have travelled extensively and stayed away from home sometimes for their entire lives. They took on this mission for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ who called them forth.

This missionary work is accomplished by the church and funded by the church. The missionary does not take anything of the Gentiles. Instead the traveler depended upon the charity of fellow believers. Gaius was one who showed kindness and charity to these traveling believers. He showed them hospitality and received them into his home.

The apostolic teaching is that we should help missionaries on their way. When we do this, we are fellow helpers to the truth. When they go in truth and preach the truth of Jesus we can help them.

Maybe the Holy Spirit is setting you apart for this kind of work. Maybe he is calling you to go and serve in some other part of the world. Maybe he is calling you to be a fellow helper to someone who will go. Either way, you and I can participate with Jesus in the work of preaching the gospel to every creature.

The missionary mandate is to be funded by the church. It is not to be taken from the Gentiles. The church should fund the work until there is a church to support itself. Then that church can begin to help others. The church must continue on and on...

In Christ,
Rody