How can we show "many honors" to those who serve us today? The Example on Malta Acts 28:10 records, “They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished everything we needed.” The islanders’ response to Paul’s ministry was immediate, tangible, and generous. Their pattern becomes our template: honor expressed through practical provision and heartfelt respect. Who Serves Us Today? • Pastors, elders, and teachers who labor in the Word • Missionaries and evangelists on the front lines • Deacons, ministry volunteers, and support staff • Civil authorities who “are God’s servants for your good” (Romans 13:4) • Everyday believers who quietly meet needs behind the scenes Why Honor Matters • Scripture commands it: “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:13). • Honoring God’s servants honors God Himself (1 Samuel 2:30). • It refreshes weary workers—“You refreshed my spirit and yours” (Philemon 1:20). • It strengthens gospel advance when needs are met (Philippians 4:16-17). Practical Ways to Offer “Many Honors” Words • Speak gratitude publicly and privately (Proverbs 25:11). • Write handwritten notes or texts that specify how their service helped you. Finances • Give regular, generous offerings—“The worker is worthy of his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18). • Surprise them with gift cards, benevolence funds, or support for conferences. Tangible Help • Provide meals, childcare, or house repairs. • Lend skills—accounting, tech, photography—to lighten their load. Hospitality • Invite them to your table (Romans 12:13). • Offer vacation housing or a retreat space for rest (Mark 6:31). Reputation Protection • Refuse gossip; defend them when misrepresented (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Share testimonies of how God used their ministry. Prayer • Intercede specifically for courage, wisdom, and family health (Ephesians 6:19). • Let them know you are praying; it emboldens them. Submission and Cooperation • Follow their biblical leadership joyfully so their work is “a joy, not a burden” (Hebrews 13:17). • Volunteer proactively rather than waiting to be asked. Advocacy • Recommend their ministry, books, or sermons to others. • Invite friends to events where they serve, expanding their reach. God’s Response to Honor Galatians 6:6 promises a reciprocal blessing: “The one who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.” When we honor servants, God supplies “everything we need,” just as He did for Paul (Philippians 4:19). In honoring them, we join the Maltese believers of Acts 28 and reflect the generous heart of our Lord. |
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