Galatians 6:6
"Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor."
Have any of you ever heard a sermon preached on this? I don't think I have. Pastors and Bible teachers in the circles I've travelled in seem to stay away from passages like this one because they don't want to appear to be asking for money for themselves or put up any barriers to the gospel. I am sympathetic to that having heard too many times about TV evangelists wanting money.
Unfortunately, we lose something when we don't talk about the needs of those who give instruction in the Word and the opportunity (even responsiblity) for those who have benefited from that instruction to be the ones through whom God provides.
Initially I wondered if this verse was in contrast with verse 5. Isn't everyone to carry their own load? Shouldn't those teachers of the Word be like Paul and support themselves? I got thinking about it and now I see how it is a continuation on the previous themes.
The exhortation to "share all good things with [your] instructor" emphasizes the interdependence that exists in the Body of Christ. Yes, we are to carry our own load, but this does not mean we are completely independent of the family of God. Part of carrying our own load is acknowledging the contributions that others make in our lives and blessing them. Also, it is through the instruction of others that we learn how to carry our own load as we are taught God's Word! So in gratitude and in a spirit of generosity, we share all good things with them.
Another aspect of this command to "share all good things with [your] instructor" is that it directs us towards carrying their burdens (Gal. 6:2). The burden may be the daily necessities of food and housing or maybe the burden is the threat of discouragement. Sharing all good things could be providing hospitality, childcare, money towards the church budget, a place to stay when they are visiting your town, etc. but it may not only be related to money or goods. What about sharing your growth in Christ, your experience of God, and the fruit of applying what they taught? These are very good things that those who teach the Word love to hear!
Finally, we see the continuity within Galatians 6:1-10 by looking ahead to verse 10 where we find the command to "do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers" and looking back to vs 1. The person who has been gently restored by a more spiritually mature brother or sister (vs 1) shouldn't neglect letting the person know what a difference it has made in their lives - this is a good thing to share!
So, let me encourage you this week: as people who receive instruction in the word, "share all good things with [your] instructor"!
Have any of you ever heard a sermon preached on this? I don't think I have. Pastors and Bible teachers in the circles I've travelled in seem to stay away from passages like this one because they don't want to appear to be asking for money for themselves or put up any barriers to the gospel. I am sympathetic to that having heard too many times about TV evangelists wanting money.
Unfortunately, we lose something when we don't talk about the needs of those who give instruction in the Word and the opportunity (even responsiblity) for those who have benefited from that instruction to be the ones through whom God provides.
Initially I wondered if this verse was in contrast with verse 5. Isn't everyone to carry their own load? Shouldn't those teachers of the Word be like Paul and support themselves? I got thinking about it and now I see how it is a continuation on the previous themes.
The exhortation to "share all good things with [your] instructor" emphasizes the interdependence that exists in the Body of Christ. Yes, we are to carry our own load, but this does not mean we are completely independent of the family of God. Part of carrying our own load is acknowledging the contributions that others make in our lives and blessing them. Also, it is through the instruction of others that we learn how to carry our own load as we are taught God's Word! So in gratitude and in a spirit of generosity, we share all good things with them.
Another aspect of this command to "share all good things with [your] instructor" is that it directs us towards carrying their burdens (Gal. 6:2). The burden may be the daily necessities of food and housing or maybe the burden is the threat of discouragement. Sharing all good things could be providing hospitality, childcare, money towards the church budget, a place to stay when they are visiting your town, etc. but it may not only be related to money or goods. What about sharing your growth in Christ, your experience of God, and the fruit of applying what they taught? These are very good things that those who teach the Word love to hear!
Finally, we see the continuity within Galatians 6:1-10 by looking ahead to verse 10 where we find the command to "do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers" and looking back to vs 1. The person who has been gently restored by a more spiritually mature brother or sister (vs 1) shouldn't neglect letting the person know what a difference it has made in their lives - this is a good thing to share!
So, let me encourage you this week: as people who receive instruction in the word, "share all good things with [your] instructor"!
Comments
Post a Comment