Introductory Thoughts
Paul served the Lord in a capacity similar to what missionaries and evangelists do today. He traveled extensively to tell everyone and anyone about Christ’s saving grace. Holding a regular job to earn money would have been impossible due to Paul’s manner of life and recurring travels. However, the Bible tells us that he worked as a tent- maker when the need presented itself (Acts 18:1-3). Most of the time, however, he did not have personal income to provide for himself and the ministry. How would he live during those times? The Bible says that faithful churches provided for his necessities. For example, the church at Philippi served as one such group of believers. Paul refers to a time when he departed from Macedonia. At that time, no church helped him; yet, the believers at Philippi sacrificially provided for his needs. These same believers faithfully helped Paul again in Thessalonica. Paul knew he could depend upon them because they understood the importance of distributing to those who had surrendered to the ministry.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): God expects our church family to help one another. How are ways that you could help if someone was sick, hurt, scared, sad, or in need of food or clothing?
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(For everyone): Are there people who depend upon you? Are they often disappointed or noticeably encouraged by you? How could you improve and grow in this area?
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Do your brothers and sisters in Christ consider you dependable? Does anyone seem surprised if you are not at church or not involved in ministries? What can you do to be more dependable and increasingly involved?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to reveal to you people who need you to be faithful.
- Ask God to make you a dependable Christian willing to help others.
Song
IF JESUS GOES WITH ME
