Luke the beloved physician wrote how Paul told the elders in Ephesus, “I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel”, and in chapter twenty and verse thirty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul tells the Ephesians, “you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities” where we read:
Yes, you yourselves know,
that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
The verse begins, “Yes, you yourselves know, ...” Luke began with the words, “yes, you yourselves” which means “moreover, you, elders and believers in the church in Ephesus, your own selves” “know” or “understand, perceive, notice and discern” the following. Luke shared how “Paul” affirmed the “knowledge and perception” of the “elders and believers” in the church in Ephesus according to the following.
The verse goes on to say, “... that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.” Luke continued with the words, “that these hands” which means “that these, Paul's, own physical hands” “have ministered unto my necessities” or “acted as a rower, rendered services and were subordinate toward my, Paul's own, needs, duty and business”, “and to them that were with me” which means “and toward the men who traveled and journeyed alongside me, Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” said his own physical hands took care of his personal “needs” as well as the men who traveled with him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” felt it was necessary to remind the “elders and believers in the church of Ephesus” that he took care of his own needs as well as those who journeyed with him. In other words, they did not “pilfer or beg from” the “elders or believers” in the church. “Paul” was not in the ministry to gain from the physical provisions of churches. He “ministered” to them rather than the church members serving him. Those who minister the gospel of Jesus Christ are to look to the Lord for their provisions, and as much as possible should be like “Paul” and provide for their own needs and necessities. God does not want the provision of the minister to keep people from having a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. “Paul” knew this, and because he was a “tentmaker”, he was able to provide for himself. Those who are wise will carefully examine “Paul's” words and vow to never allow the “coveting” of the things of others to impede the good news of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells the Ephesians, “I have showed you all things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment