“Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.” – 1 Corinthians, – 9:13-14 – NLT
Blessings received and Challenges faced by human beings may vary in degrees but are similar and are for all people no matter their qualification, exposure or vocation. When certain sets of People are in need, they can make use of different means or methods known to or by man to seek for help. But this is not the case with a Pastor, Priest or Servant of God. Some Pastors might have thrown caution to the winds by going cap in hands all over the place to beg people and even Satan for help so that they can meet their needs, there are still very many who depend on God to supply their needs at any time.
God has many plans to accomplish for man and the world. He uses both living and non living things to accomplish these. May He always find us useful to carry out His assignments in Jesus name. It is His plan that the World draw closer to Him. He has set aside many people to be His voice and channels of blessings in this regard. Like, He did with Prophets of old, God has also chosen people and things that will minister to the needs of his messengers. That He chose the Ravens and the widow of Zarephath to supply Prophet Elijah’s meals means He can use anyone for this assignment. As a matter of fact, the real context of one reaping what one sows in Galatians chapter 6 is established in the care for God’s messengers. Paul categorically mentioned that “Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” Galatians, – 6:6-7, – NLT
Paul in Today’s text and many other portions of the Holy Scriptures reiterated the importance of the ministry of meeting the needs of God’s servants that many Christians both high and low have neglected today. Pastors and Priests are channels through which many things flow from above to the people on earth. The message, blessings, warnings or judgements from God on many occasions flow through them by the power of the Holy Spirit. Their care is of great importance because God has set aside some rewards for those who do it. In the Gospel record according to Matthew, – (10:41-42, our Lord Jesus said “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10: 41-42, – NIV
People in the ministry face pressure in spiritual and natural realms most can never comprehend. The last thing they need is the financial burden of figuring out how they’re going to survive. All Christians must always remember that their Priests were chosen from among them. They are humans who do not go to separate markets or malls or other places but same which people in the world go. What happened to Moses in Exodus 17 do happen and can happen to any pastor at any time. This is one major reason why we must always pray to God for the grace to take care of them. “When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”- Exodus, – 17:12, – NIV.
It is God’s wish that we surrender ourselves to services as clearly written above. Below are few ways God’s children can take care of their pastors and Priests.
- Put your Priests on your personal pay-roll as regular as you are capable of. Nothing is too small and no amount can be too much.
- Give them a gift certificate of shopping malls which they can use to make purchases of choice of needs.
- Pastors work almost 24hours therefore they need rest when they can get it. if you are privileged to sponsor your priest for a period of rest and rejuvenation during his vacation, do not hesitate to do so. You can also contribute towards this no matter how small.
- If you run a school, you can be of help in training the child of your Priest. And if you don’t have a school, you can make a regular contribution in this regard to assist your priest.
- You can help him build his library. When he is well equipped to minister in the contemporary age, the flocks will be better for it.
- Pray to God to show you other various ways you can be of blessing to your priest and take care of his needs so that he is not distracted.
Beloved, God does not owe anybody. He will never leave His messengers stranded without help. It is like His work, if one servant fails to do it, another will surely be led to carry it out. However, the special blessings for carrying out such assignments which is dear to God’s heart will be released only to those who willingly release themselves to be used by God. Do something today and minister to the needs of your ministers. Your prayers shall be answered and your life will not remain the same again.