SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9/30/2021 9:55 AM
My Worship Time Focus: “Confident
Faith”
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Matt.
10:9-10
Message of the verses: “9 "Do not
acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your
journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy
of his support.”
We
begin this SD looking at the fifth principle of ministry which is practically
illustrated in this passage and that is that of confidently trusting God for
whatever is needed. We have talked
earlier that the apostles were not to demand payment for their services but now
we learn that they must not amass a great amount of money in advance of their
mission. These verses tell us that they
were not to acquire gold, or silver, or copper for their money belts. These three metals represent the various
coinage in use at the time, in descending order of value. I suppose that things today are about the
same as far as the order of value. We
are told that the apostles were to go out with their money bags empty.
It
is possible that the bag refers to a food sack that was commonly carried on a
journey, since inns were widely scattered and expensive. The apostles were not even to take a sack
lunch, and that must have taken a lot of faith.
MacArthur
writes “Nor were they to take extra tunics, or sandals, or a staff. The tunic was an important outer garment that
served both as overcoat and blanket.
Sandals were necessary to protect the feet from sharp rocks, thorns, and
the hot ground. A staff was helpful protection
against robbers or wild animals.”
So
we see that the apostles were to go forth with a minimum of clothing and
supplies, trusting the Lord to provide whatever else that they may need. God Himself established the principle that “the
worker is worthy of his support,” and He will see that it is fulfilled.
The
following quotation comes from MacArthur’s commentary that comes from a
Rabbi: “He who receives a rabbi into his
house or as his guest and lets him have his enjoyment from his possessions, the
Scripture ascribes to him as if he had offered the continual offerings.” These Rabbis rightly believed that God would
bless those who provide food, clothing, shelter, and other aid to the teachers
of His Word.
1
Tim. 5:17-18 says “17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of
double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For
the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS
THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages.’”
MacArthur
concludes “Ministers who never demand anything, who never put a price on their
work, and who trust the Lord to provide for their needs have the special
blessing of knowing that what they do receive is a gift from the Lord,
expressive of His loving, generous care.”
9/30/2021 10:12 AM
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