Giving To The Lord
Melito Barrera • January 3, 2025
3 John 1:7 says, “Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.”
John addresses a fellow believer named Gaius (v. 1), who was also mentioned as one of “Paul's companions in travel” (Acts 19:29). Both his hospitality and willingness to help the traveling “brethren, and to strangers” (v. 5), was commended by John. Gaius was a great example of a man who “walkest in the truth” (v. 3). He was willing to help those who “went forth” for the name of Christ; who were most likely, traveling preachers and missionaries (v. 6). Although they preached the gospel to the Gentiles, they took “nothing” from them as part of their provisions.
In other words, they were particularly ministering among the heathens, but they were depending on the support from their Christian brethren (2 Cor 8:4). This is the reason why we get involved in faith promise missions giving. When families and individuals from likeminded faith (Php 2:2), become burdened to a particular mission field, they are sent out by their local church (Acts 13:3). They go on deputation to obtain prayers and financial support from other bible-believing churches.
We should also have a giving heart just like Gaius; it is both an act of faith and an act of obedience on our part (2 Cor 9:7). Our reluctance to give only shows the weakness of our faith (2 Cor 5:7). But our duty in giving should always be according to our means (Lk 6:38). It is also a shared burden and not intended to be placed upon a single person. God will never ask us to do anything without first equipping us (1 Cor 10:13). "We are labourers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9), in spreading the gospel!
-Pastor Melito Barrera
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