The Debt We Don't Talk About

Who do you owe? Many of us would never think of not paying our bills and not making good on what we owe to people, but some of us at times short change the very people to whom we are the most indebted. These are the church families that have brought the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of God to us, our families, and communities.

Paul put it this way in Romans 15:27:

For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them [the Christians from Macedonia and Achaia] indeed, and they are their debtors [these owe the church in Jerusalem]. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them [the church in Jerusalem] in material things. (Rom 15:26-27)

The church of Jesus Christ was born about 2000 years ago when the Holy Spirit came upon a group of believers in the resurrected Christ, and church families began springing up as the gospel (i.e., good news) and the Word of God was spread throughout the known world.

The Word of God bring salvation and life, and many have faithfully brought it and taught it so that people could be reconciled to God.

Do we really appreciate what these church families have done, and are doing? Do we see that there is a debt that we owe those that faithfully labor to bring us the Word of God?

Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT TREADS OUT THE GRAIN." Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?
(1Co 9:7-11)

What God is saying in the passage above, is that those that feed you the Word of God are just entitled to your support, as you are entitled to your paycheck at your job. hmmmm.

By the way, while I am at it, a special thank you to all those that have faithfully supported your pastors and church families with your finances over the years. You have done more for the advancement of the kingdom of God than you know. Let's make 2010 a bannter year for sowing into the kingdom of God.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.