Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
01/08/2016, by John Kincaid
Lesson 840: Generosity in 3 John, Pt.1
The book of 3 John was written to a generous man named Gaius. He was a prominent member of his church.
The Apostle John commended Gaius for receiving guests into his home. The life of Gaius is a powerful illustration of generosity.
Gaius proclaimed the truth to the lost, through his generosity. The word truth appears 6 times in this short letter of only 15 verses.
The Apostle John knew that ministry is more than buildings and budgets. Ministry is truth: proclaiming the Word of God.
Gaius demonstrated goodness toward visitors. He provided gifts and shared truth with God’s people, to support and encourage their service to God.
3 John 8 we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
When Gaius welcomed guests in his home, ministered to their needs, provided a bed and a meal, he became a partner in their ministry. He participated in the ministry of another person.
Not everyone can be a missionary or a pastor. Many Christians work in secular jobs. But they can send their prayers and money and support to those who work in full-time ministry.
God calls ministers and missionaries to equip others to do the work of the ministry.
Servants of God such as Hudson Taylor, D.L. Moody and Lottie Moon reached many people with the gospel. The generosity of all who supported them is still bearing fruit today.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.