Galatians 6:6&7. He, however, who is being instructed in the Message ought always to share his blessings with the man who instructs him. Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. What a man sows, that he will reap. (TCNT)
1 Timothy 5: 17&18 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Introduction
You are welcome to another festive season. This is the season of sharing and caring and in this edition of Refreshing manna newsletter, I will like to remind you that you should give to the servants of God in your life so that you can catch all the blessings God intends for you before this year runs out. God said you should share all the good things of life with those who teach you the word of God and you will reap whatever you sow (Galatians 6:6&7). This is a part of the scripture you ought to obey diligently just like you are careful to avoid fornication and adultery. You are expected to do good to people generally but especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). You would notice that Paul singled out those who teach the word of God (regard them as Christian leaders generally) as people to share all good things of life with in v6 of that passage before he talked about doing good to people generally in v10. In your giving and sharing, you should place priority on those who labour in God’s word and kingdom generally.
I remember when I was growing up, my parents took dishes of cooked food, foodstuffs and other things to neighbours, widows, orphans etc many times especially during festive seasons but I noticed that the portions taken to priests (Pastors) were usually more than the portions given to others. I also noticed that my parents held the Pastors in very high esteem before I ever read it in the bible. It may not be practical to take perishable foodstuffs to teachers and pastors in our days, but you can give them money and other non-perishable things that they need. You should also honour them highly for their work’s sake (1 Tim 5:17).
Honour servants of God with respect and substances
In the book of Acts chapter 28:2, When God rescued Paul and the other people in the ship that was wrecked and brought them to Island of Melita, the simple people living on that Island welcomed them kindly, made fire to keep them warm and gave them other basic needs. When they noticed the manifestation of the power of God in the life of Paul through the healing of the father of Publius, the chief host; the other people brought their sick folks and they were healed. They gave them great honour, and, when they were departing, they put into the ship whatever things they were in need of. (Acts 28:10). Note here that they did not take the healing for granted. They could have said, after all, we offered you shelter and food for some days; it’s good to get something out of you too. Rather, they honoured them with their substances. The story teaches us to honour and give to anyone who has been used of God to bless us spiritually. Don’t give them what is not useful; find out what they need, either by asking them or the Holy Spirit; and supply it. If you can’t figure out what they need, give them money.
Sometimes ago, my husband and I noticed a man of God who did not have a car. Though we had some pressing needs in our own family, we terminated part of our savings intended to buy shares to be able to purchase a car for him (He added some money to the fund). Since that time, God has been blessing us with new cars and other things in miraculous ways.
How have you been giving to servants of God? Ideally you should have been giving to the ministers in your life consistently but even if you have not done that from January till now, you should quickly make arrangement to do that before this year ends. More importantly, you should determine to set apart part of your income to give to genuine men and women of God who teach you the word of God and guide you spiritually. Don’t think any amount is too small.
Don’t cheat a minister because you think he is rich:
Some Christians find it difficult to share with those who teach them the word of God because they consider them richer and they are afraid they might be enriching them more at their own expense. (They are conscious of a Yoruba adage that says you should not pour water into an ocean). Well, I don’t blame ordinary people who find it difficult to give to richer people; many times, it may not make sense naturally. However, the beautiful thing about giving to men of God is that it is not a natural action. It is obeying God’s commandment. In Galatians 6:6, the bible says those who are taught the word of God should share all good things of life with those who teach; it did not say to poor pastors or teachers alone. It doesn’t mean you should give to an extent that you create a burden for yourself and make life very easy for others; but you should share what you have.(2 Corinthians 8:13)
Have you ever done a business with someone and refuse to pay him or reduce the agreed price just because he came in a nice car to meet you? (Whoever does that is a fraudster). Why is it that we treat ordinary people properly and cheat servants of God?.
Don’t cheat a minister because you think he is poor.
On the other hand, some people refuse to give what is due to some servants of God because they believe they are poor and they don’t need much money. This is evil! If two ministers preach in your church and you decide to give peanuts to the one who took public transport and a fat offering (with the difference well above the total cost of transportation) to the other one just because he appears richer, you have violated the word of God. The bible says in James 2:1-9 that when you are partial to the rich, you commit a sin.
Remember that giving to those who teach you the word of God and confer other spiritual blessing is not the same as giving to the poor. The poor has not done anything for you, you are doing them a favour. On the other hand, servants of God have laboured hard in God’s presence and served you spiritual food, intercession or other spiritual benefits. You are not doing them a favour, you are obeying God’s words and incurring favour from God. Remember 1 Tim 5:17&18, says those who labour in the word should be honoured and a labourer is worthy of his wages.
It is their right to collect it from you in the same way that it is your right to collect your salary at the end of the month or receive your cheque after rendering a service for a customer as a business man.
Spiritual labour is more tedious than physical labour and I pray many more people realised that in the Church. May God help us to always give ministers what they deserve according to their labour. They are not expected to make demands but we should give them what fits them.
Don’t cheat ministers just because of their total submission to God.
Another evil I see in the church is believers cheating ministers because they perceive that they have yielded themselves totally to God and don’t st their hearts on money. Give people what they deserve; it’s not your business if they decide to give the money back to God.
Don’t ever think you don’t have anything to give
Some Christians also believe that they have so little that the message of giving does not concern them. No matter how scarce your resources seem, God expects you to share part of it. Give, no matter how little it is ! I’m sure that’s a bit tough. The reason is simply because giving is one of the critieria that God checks to be able to release his blessing on you. If you hold on to the little, then you have tied God’s hands! He will not be able to bless you because he cannot violate his principle.
If you don’t have money, give an item or time; do something to assist a servant of God
God rewards your Giving
Some people wonder why they are not having any testimony while others are recording several testimonies. God cannot violate his word. He says if you give, it shall be given to you. More so, if you give to his servants who are in a position to pray for you and release blessings on your life. Ministers are representatives of God in your life and when they bless you, the prayer is not the same as you praying for yourself.
Conclusion: I have been giving prophet offerings to those who have been teaching me the word of God or giving me other spiritual benefits since twenty nine (29) years ago and God has been rewarding me bountifully. What about you? Will you make a decision to do that consistently from now onwards? Identify the people who teach or lead you spiritually; think about what you can give them today.