What other scriptures highlight the importance of supporting those serving in ministry? Serving under Hezekiah: An Everyday Supply 2 Chronicles 31:16 shows how Hezekiah’s administrators “distributed allotments among all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties in the service of their responsibilities.” Ministry was daily, and God provided for it daily. Roots in the Law: God’s Blueprint for Provision • Numbers 18:21 – “To the sons of Levi I have given every tithe in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.” • Deuteronomy 12:19 – “Be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.” • Deuteronomy 14:27 – “And do not neglect the Levite within your gates, for he has no portion or inheritance among you.” • Deuteronomy 18:1-2 – “The Levitical priests… shall eat the offerings made by fire to the LORD, for that is their inheritance.” Prophetic Reminders and Corrections • Nehemiah 13:10-11 – “I also discovered that the portions for the Levites had not been given to them… Therefore I rebuked the officials and asked, ‘Why has the house of God been neglected?’” • Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house.” Jesus and the Twelve: Ministry Supported on the Road • Luke 10:7 – “The worker is worthy of his wages.” • Luke 8:1-3 – Women such as Joanna and Susanna “were ministering to them out of their own means.” Paul: Material Support Hand in Hand with Gospel Work • 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 – “In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” • Galatians 6:6 – “The one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.” • 1 Timothy 5:17-18 – “Elders who lead well are worthy of double honor… ‘The worker is worthy of his wages.’” • Philippians 4:16-18 – “Even while I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need… I am amply supplied.” The Early Church Model: Generous Together • Acts 4:34-35 – “There were no needy ones among them… the proceeds were distributed to anyone as he had need.” • 3 John 5-8 – “You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God… We ought therefore to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” • Hebrews 13:16-17 – “Do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Putting It All Together Today • God consistently raises up servants and calls His people to resource them. • Withholding provision cripples ministry; faithful giving fuels it. • Sharing material goods makes every believer a co-laborer in the mission (Philippians 4:17). • The principle in 2 Chronicles 31:16—daily allotments for daily duties—still applies: our generosity keeps pulpits filled, missionaries sent, and the gospel proclaimed to the ends of the earth. |
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