“Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8b)
Jesus has just commissioned the disciples to go out two by two to do the ministry of teaching, healing and delivering from demons. He was very clear that their ministry was not to become a business in which people were charged for their services. Even today those in the ministry for Jesus Christ follow this principle. They are not in a business, charging people for their services. They are in a “Call” from the Lord and offer their ministry free of charge. The monetary support they may receive from the people they service is not pay for a job but support for being a minister of the Lord. The Lord’s servants have never been hirelings.
As we look at the follower of Jesus we realize that we are all called to be ministers in some way and our services are also free of charge. We rejoice is being able to share the Good News of God in Jesus Christ and we never charge a fee for doing so. God has given to us so many gifts. He has given us His Spirit for faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. He has given us gifts to do certain types of ministries according to our abilities. We gather together in groups, called churches, to support and carry out the work He would have us do. We raise funds through offerings to support these ministries. All we do, we do in the name of Jesus, free of charge. That will never change for His Church.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Grace to us. Your free gifts transform us into givers in Your name. Increase our faithfulness to this underlying principle of Yours – we have freely received, help us freely give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
