Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. [Matthew 10:9-15 NASB]Jesus is speaking to the apostles, and by extension those in ministry who follow in their footsteps. He speaks to the expectations of the minister, and also to the responsibilities of those being ministered to.
He's telling them, don't take what you need for your journey, but let people provide for your needs.
The principle is that the minister's needs should be met by those who receive his ministry. This means they have live by faith that God will move the hearts of people to provide. If you are in the ministry, this means you should be able to receive freely so that others may give freely. For many, it is more difficult to receive than it is to give.
There are others who go to the opposite extreme. They go beyond receiving to fleecing the flock. I have spoken to pastors who feel justified in believing that they should live at least as well as the wealthiest member of their church. But what they describe is greed and envy. If John Smith drives a Porsche, the pastor must drive a Porsche. If Mr. Smith lives in a 5 million dollar home, then the pastor must live in a 5 million dollar home.
But that is not what Jesus is describing.
As for those who are receiving ministry, I would remind you of what Jesus said in a different context. "Freely you have received, freely give." I don't believe the pastor should be the richest man in the community, but neither should he be the poorest.
When you speak in the name of Jesus - whether that be in full time ministry, or while on break at work, or volunteering in the community - you will encounter some who are open to what you are saying, and others who will oppose you.
Jesus instructed his apostles to give a blessing of peace to those who receive them, and take it back if they don't. Regarding those who reject the message of Jesus, the disciples were instructed to walk away and shake the dust off of their feet.
Those of us who know Jesus want to share His joy and love with the world. But the sad truth is that the world will overwhelmingly reject Him.
There are those who are on the fence about the gospel. They haven't accepted Jesus, but they don't outright reject Him either. There are many who will hear the message as seed that is planted, that God will water and make grow. They deserve our blessings and our prayers.
Then there are those who are hostile to anything related to Jesus. They reject any action or word of faith on your part. Jesus said to shake their dust off your feet. This is not a curse, nor is it a judgement nor a pronouncement of guilt on those who reject you. Rather, it is for your own benefit. We may feel sorrow or even guilt when people reject the gospel. You should feel free to absolve yourself, and recognize that they are in God's hands.
They may yet come to Him, as His Spirit draws them, but if they don't, they are God's to judge.
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