Share with Those Who Give to You

“⁶One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.” – Galatians 6:6 (ESV)

This seems like such a simple verse and that is what I thought at first. I will say that after reading through it a few times, I was less confident in what God had planned for me through these words. I spent time reviewing the verses of reference (Romans 15:27 and 1 Corinthians 9:6) only to read too much into the words and further confuse myself.

Then, I read the commentary from my ESV Bible and I was able to understand. “Paul instructs the church to support its teachers materially—with food, money, and whatever good things are appropriate.” And it hit me. Our “good things” are those that are in excess of what I need. And those things I am instructed to share my excess with others and those others are identified as those who teach the Word of God.

With the exception of a few staff members, those that teach the Word of God are volunteers and are giving of their time and love to bring the gospel to me. I am receiving the gifts they are giving. They are simply following the path that they have been provided by Christ. I am on the receiving end of those gifts and it is up to me to share with them to demonstrate that their giving is not in vain.

I know of those in the world that have taken the approach of “serving God and getting rich”, but they are the minority of those that serve our LORD. I do not know a pastor or minister that serves for themselves. In fact I was a member of a pastor search committee and the pastor that we called referenced that what we were offering financially was not what he was hoping for, but in the very next statement said that he was called to serve and not to get rich. That pastor did not want for anything while at our church as the congregation made sure they shared with his family.

Those that give to us the Word of God are not in it for themselves, they are in it as service to God. It is my duty to be sure that they are taken care of by sharing my “good things” with them where I can.

When you are looking to those who share with you God’s Word, are you aware of their service? Are you looking to get from them without reciprocating back? Will you look to share with those who give the Word of God to you?