Faithful Giving and Receiving

3 John 1:5-8 

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Faithfulness is demonstrated in giving of ourselves to both our fellow believers and to strangers who do not know our Savior as we do.  It does not mean we only look out for our own, nor do we minister solely to those outside.  This witness is seen of our love in Christ by all, as a testimony to God’s transformational grace at work in us.  We as a body then send out His workers we serve to serve others, in ways which please God.  We receive them in love, meet their needs, and equip them to in turn serve others as they go out.  This is both for missionaries and other gospel workers for His kingdom.  If fellow believers go in His name without taking support from unbelievers, then there is no accusation of mercenary missions, but of faithful giving of love in bringing the good news of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.  We do well to give of ourselves as we go forth with this in mind as well.  Therefore we receive our fellow servants doing the same to work together in synergy with each other and with Christ as His fellow workers for our common work.  This faithful giving and receiving is how we are called to work better together for the gospel’s sake.  Let us be faithful in willing obedience.