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GALATIANS - I Have Been Crucified With Christ
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
PART 4: FREEDOM FROM THE LAW OF MOSES IS THE FOUNDATION OF CONDUCT IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:1 – 6:18)
5. Give much to your church, and do not be ashamed (Galatians 6:6-10)
GALATIANS 6:6-10
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Your love appears in your contributions. You cannot serve God and money at the same time. The Holy Spirit frees you from envy and stinginess. Excessive interest in securing daily bread is a temptation, which leads to sin. The Lord frees you from your state, and gives you the heart, which loves to give rather than to receive.
It is your duty to support the servant of the Lord who teaches you in the word and the power of the Bible, and to make him a partner in your income. This is not a strange thought, for the word is much more valuable than all your earthly treasures. So, pay sufficient money to your church that it might be able to perform all its services. Paul never accepted a penny from his hearers that nobody would say that he preached for the sake of money. That was far from Paul who worked with his hands to provide for himself and his friends. Because of this freedom, he had the right and the courage to ask the churches to contribute generously and not stingily.
Immediately after this suggestion, he referred his readers to the fairness of God who is jealous for the dignity of his kingdom. The heavenly Father gives you your daily food and clothes in spite of your sins. He also sends you the servant of the gospel, though you are not worthy of this honor, to preach you with the word of reconciliation that you may be saved by grace and receive the eternal life, which is the Holy Spirit himself. Then, how can you rise from death to the life of God and remain stingy and envious, without feeling for him who preached you? God is jealous for his servants. He who prefers his own security rather than supporting the propagation of the kingdom of God is not worthy to be admitted to it. You have either to concern yourself with your rights, money, and interests, and then you win death and condemnation, or to commit yourself to the Holy Spirit and his motives, and then you win the true life with God.
Paul does not teach us the idea of retribution or recompense, as if we pay checks of contributions or alms to the bank of God and then we receive blessings equivalent to the amount of our checks in addition to the interest. Our contributions are, on the contrary, our thankfulness and praise for the sacrifice of Christ who gave his life for our redemption. In him, we have obtained all the treasures and blessings of heaven. Therefore, we must thank him and honor him by giving our life for the service. The death of Christ on the cross is our motivation to be tireless in performance of good deeds, for he died for the sinners who did not deserve help. Thus, we must follow him in this intent, and train ourselves in the service of all men. The Holy Spirit inspires the admirers of the sacrifice of Christ to do good generously and wisely. First, he refers you to your needy brother in the Spirit, or to the widow and orphans that you may help them indeed, and not expect anything in return, for the Lord has made you their steward. The more you contribute and spend for the sake of the Lord, the more he fills you with abundant blessings that you may continue in the same services, for we are the pipes, which bring his grace to the world. However, if the pipe were closed the flood of blessings would not pass, and the rivers of grace would cease from pouring out into the others.
Ask your Lord to deliver you from your money that you may become free to serve God.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Proprietor of all things. You became poor, and you filled the worlds with your love. Help us not to worry about our purse, but to love, serve, give, and sacrifice, for you love has become the emblem of our life. Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see the needy. Give us the prudence to help in the best manner, and provide us with the strength and equipments that we may complete our service in your name.
QUESTION:
- Why is money important in the service of God?