“You will do well to support them on their trip in a way that proves you belong to God. After all, they went on their trip to serve the one named Christ, and they didn’t accept any help from the people to whom they went. We must support believers who go on trips like this so that we can work together with them in spreading the truth.” 3 John 6-8 GW
This short letter of John’s is written to Gaius, who is an overseer of a church. It is a letter of encouragement and warning. Gaius is affirmed for his faith and walking in the truth. Walking in the truth is a theme in both 2 John and 3 John.
The verses above refer to visiting ministers who have stopped to see Gaius and some fellow believers during their journeys to share the gospel. These few verses contain key points about supporting those who share the gospel.
- Generosity in supporting missionaries is a characteristic of God’s people.
Those who belong to God are committed to fulfilling the great commission. This means sharing the gospel and supporting those who go to various places to share the gospel. Generosity characterizes God’s people because we see Christ’s generosity to us in giving His life to redeem us from sin.
- Missionaries don’t expect support from those to whom they share the gospel. This was especially important in the first century because many false teachers and ministers were taking advantage of others and viewed godliness as a way to gain financially. Even when the Apostle Paul first ministered among those in Corinth, he was supported by others. People of faith should not expect greater generosity from others who don’t know Christ than what they are willing to share themselves.
- Supporting missionaries is a way to share in their work. This is the New Testament concept of giving to those who go to share the gospel. We see Paul reference this important principle. There are spiritual rewards for those who go and share the gospel and for those who enable those individuals to follow God’s call. When reports are given, there is a shared joy in the partnership of the gospel.
However, there are those who attempt to styme the work of the gospel. John points this out and calls a man named Diotrephes by name. In this church this man who loved to be in charge, would not allow the church to receive a letter from John. This is the reason that John sends a personal letter to Gaius. Instead of welcoming guests sent by John and sharing in their work, Diotrephes will not accept them and hinders those who do and attempts to throw them out of the church.
John is prepared to deal with this person when he arrives. In the meantime, he warns those who walk in the truth to, “never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.” v.11 Jesus told His followers, “By their fruit you will know them.” (Matt 7:16)
John points to Demetrius (who was probably the visiting minister) as one who was commended by others, himself, and the truth of his own life that he is a faithful and trustworthy minister.
Supporting the work of the gospel is not something we “have” to do; it is something that we “get” to do. That spirit of generosity says more about a person than what many realize. It is not always known to others, but it is known to the person themselves.