There was a man who did not belong to the disciples' group that began to cast out demons in the name of Jesus, and the disciples tried to stop him. But Jesus told His disciples not to stop him because no one could perform miracles in His name if he did not belong to Him. In the same manner, anyone who gives them water to drink because you follow me would not lose his reward in Heaven (Mark 9:38-41). There are two important lessons that we can learn from these verses. The first lesson we can learn is that anybody who believes in the Lord Jesus belongs to the family of God, wherever he/she comes from. There is no special group in the kingdom of God. Everybody is equal in the eyes of God. We are all different and given different gifts to serve God and each other, but we are all equal in God's eyes. A pastor is not greater than a person who is called to serve and clean the church. Everybody has different roles and responsibilities, but everyone is serving the same God.
The second lesson we can learn is that anybody who is generous to support the body of Christ will be rewarded by our Heavenly Father. God calls people to serve Him in a full-time ministry, and for them to continue to serve Him in a full-time ministry, they need to be supported by the people in the church. Pastors, missionaries, evangelists, teachers, and other calling in the body of Christ must be supported by the church. And those who support the people that God called to the ministry will be rewarded by God. Here's what Paul said about this matter, "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15). Being sent means being supported to go so that they can preach the gospel. Preaching the gospel to the lost is the entire work of the church. Everybody has to participate, whether by going or supporting.
As believers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to accept anyone in the church, wherever they come from. We are all equal in God's eyes. And we need to be willing to support the work of Christ. God has blessed us with many blessings so that we can be a channel of His blessings. Let us be generous in the works of God, for God will reward those who participate in advancing the gospel.
Ask yourself these questions: Am I willing to accept anyone in the body of Christ? Am I willing to support the works of Christ? Am I willing to be obedient to what God is calling me to do?
Write down all the worries you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, would you please help me to treat anyone the same in your church? I thank you that there is no favoritism in your church. Also, would you help me or teach me how to be a channel of your blessings in supporting your work? Protect me from selfishness but help me to be generous. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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