As we close in on the final
two verses of the book of Titus, Paul the apostle is mentioning a few
people who have been instrumental in helping him share the gospel.
Thus far we have read about Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas and Apollos, and
Paul encouraged Titus not only to bring them with him when he visits,
but also to take care of their necessary needs. Today Paul continues
his instruction in caring for ministers with the following words
found in chapter three and verse fourteen:
And
let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that
they be not unfruitful.
Paul begins this verse with, “And let ours learn”. In
order for a person to learn, he or she must first learn to want to
learn. Titus has been given several instructions for the membership
of the Church located in Crete. One of the principles with which Paul
ends this book is support for ministers, and Paul knows that in
addition to all the other doctrine he has given, this one is
important as well.
Paul writes to let our learn, “to maintain good works for
necessary uses”. Not only was Titus to be involved in the care
for those with whom the gospel was trusted, but also the members of
the church were to be involved. In other words, Paul desired that the
church members learn how to care for the necessary needs of
ministers. Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas and Apollos were involved in the
ministry, and they certainly had need of necessary items such as
food, drink, clothing, shelter and travel money if they were going to
be effective in their work. Titus was to teach the church how to care
for ministers and missionaries such as these.
The question could be asked, “Why should the church learn to do
this?” The answer is found in Paul's next phrase, “that they
be not unfruitful.” In other words there is a direct tie to the
fruitfulness of church members when they support those within the
ministry. If they provide support for ministers, they too participate
in the fruit of the work of those supported. They become a part of
the ministry by helping to give sustenance to those who share the
gospel.
Not everyone is called to be a preacher, teacher or missionary as a
Christian, however, everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is to be
involved in the ministry. Sometimes this means supporting those who
choose to share the gospel as a profession. In doing so, those who
support participate in the fruit of the ministry. Jesus said this to
His disciples in the gospel of John in chapter fifteen and verse
sixteen:
You
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you
should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give
it you.
Jesus desired that His disciples have fruit in their lives, and He
desired that they have fruit that remained. Whenever we involve
ourselves in the support of those who spread the gospel of Jesus
Christ, we are in direct obedience to Jesus Himself, and whenever
there is success in their ministry, we also are credited with
participation. May we all evermore learn the importance of learning
“to maintain good works for necessary uses,” and then be
busy about putting actions to what we have learned.
Next time we will finish the book of Titus with the last verse with
Paul's three short desires, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
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