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1 Thessalonians 2:6-9
In 1 Thessalonians 2:6-9 the Apostle Paul continues to encourage those of the church at Thessalonica of his ministry team’s dedication to them and their obedience to God in their actions. They could have requested to have their provisions provided for them by the church but chose rather to earn their own way through their professions outside of preaching to not be mistaken for preaching only for the money.
Paul was a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-4), and he preached in the region in which he was evangelizing while providing a service for financial backing. This was during the time in which the Christian Church was in its infancy and the need to be received purely for the sharing of the gospel was vital to the early church. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 9:18 (NKJV), “What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.”
This is a promise of the dedication of the Apostle Paul and his ministry team in presenting the gospel in its purity and calling from God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 the Apostle Paul explains the need for the Church to provide for the pastor of the church. He also provides reasoning for his refusal to accept such payment for his services in sharing the gospel. He also explains how we should care for the needs of the pastor/leader of the church.
Our local priests and pastors are reliant on our tithes for their income in the established Church today. Jesus has instructed us in Matthew 22:21, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, “Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”
Dear LORD,
We hope and pray today that all our priests and pastors are sharing the gospel for the necessity of the calling You have put on their lives. It is our duty as their congregation to provide for them as You have instructed us to do through our tithe. Please help us all to do our part in providing for those You have entrusted to lead us in our spiritual walk with You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.