Today’s Devotion
Topic: “Spiritual Investors” Have Physical Needs Too.
Text: 1 Corinthians 9: 11
11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” Amen
The Apostle Paul recognises the fact that not everyone of us is called to do casual work that earns him/ her income with material benefits. Like Paul, there are people who have availed themselves for God to use full time without necessarily having to be a clergy. We may call them “Levites” or “spiritual investors”.
Some of them labour in churches as deacons, elders, counsellors or trusted and matured believers who mentor the many that the pastor may not by his tight schedule reach. Others labour with Christian organisations that advance the course of Christ and foster unity in the body of Christ.
There are still some more who may work as volunteers for spreading the word in outreach groups, orphanages and compassion units. While some others are just trusted and matured believers who are perpetually at the service of the church and God’s people but not necessarily paid or formally rewarded with remuneration.
Amazingly these Levites, the genuine ones to be precise, sow spiritual nuggets among us every day and night that make us grow in Christ and open great doors for us. They help us translate the word of God into practical Christian living. They make time to teach us the word of God, straighten us with the disciplines of the word, pray with and for us, and counsel us on matters we may be shy to share even with our dear ones, parents and our pastors.
These “spiritual investors” or “Levites” help us make spiritual investments of eternal value for eternal gain. They are sometimes the people we call on if anything, dream or situation overwhelms us. Unfortunately, the spiritual virtues they impart in us, although more valuable than the physical investments we make, are intangible and hence we tend to forget about them.
Some of us even condemn them as being lazy and “unserious in life” for not working to provide for their own needs. Those who do not condemn them would rather they became priests or pastors for the church or we have no place for them.
But we must be careful with these conclusions. God in His wisdom ordained through Moses, priests from tribe of Levi but did not necessarily make all Levites priests.
So now, the question is: if we can attest that these “spiritual investors” or “Levites” are genuine and labouring full time to advance the course of Christ both in our lives and that of others, why is it so difficult to support their physical needs? Again, why is it too hard for us to give back to them for all they have done and continue to do in our lives? Do we even need to wait till they ask or appear miserable, hungry and tattered?
The Apostle Paul is making an appeal to you : “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” Meditate on the questions posed above.
And now begin to pray for the people who have invested spiritually in you. Ask God to bless them and also use you to provide financial and material support to them.
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