Protecting the Pure Gospel, Part 11

In keeping with his theme of loving each other, Paul reminds them of the practical care they should give to their teachers and then ends with a general principle of doing good towards all men.  This section is Galatians 6:6-10.

Even as we deal with a subject that is difficult for a teacher to teach, let us keep in mind that Paul's point is that he desires the Galatians to show their "spirituality" not through acts of the law, but rather through free acts of love towards one another.  Thus he is talking about true spirituality, of which materially supporting those who benefit us spiritually is just a part.  Thus the logic so far is this.  First carefully restore those who fall into sin and deviate from Christ.  Second, they should help each other carry those inescapable heavy things of life that are difficult for any one person to carry alone.  This third section is the imperative that they should take care of the material needs of their teachers.

The Material Needs of Spiritual Teachers

When men are focused on the law, brotherhood is one of the first things that is sacrificed.  Thus if it was a problem yet, or only one forseen by Paul, we do not know.  Let's point out first that though Paul gives an imperative he uses language that speaks of a different relationship.  The Christian students are told to "share" all good things with their teachers.  This word literally means to give them a portion or an interest in your stuff.  Notice it does not use language that suggests a wage or particular amount.  Thus under the freedom of grace, love obligates us to do something, but does not dictate the measure.  Teachers are not to be treated nor are they to act as "hirelings."  No matter how much pressure the government may put on churches to treat and equate their ministers with employees, this is not the relationship that God would have it be.  It is to be the relationship of brothers who are working together and each share in the blessings of the other.

Paul spends way more time on this in 1 Corinthians chapter 9.

"If we have sown spiritual things for you, [is it] a great thing if we reap your material things?" 1 Corinthians 9:11 (NKJV)

Though this may sound cheeky to modern, cynical ears, Paul is making an argument to believers by using the Old Testament and sound logic.  The Old Testament taught Israel to not "muzzle the ox while it is treading the grain."  The idea is that he who works should be encouraged by that work.  Man is created in such a way that he cannot work long at something that does not in some way benefit him.  Though we could pick that apart in the name of spirituality, God does the opposite.  He tells us to understand that part of our nature and not to ignore it.  There is something inherently more free about a system that says, we won't muzzle you why you are working for us.  Also the levites were totally taken care of through the sacrifices of the rest of Israel.  God was the inheritance of the Levites and thus the people were to help bless them in the name of the Lord.  Paul was not teaching this from selfish motivations because he often did not receive any money from churches, especially the Corinthians.  He had purposefully taken care of himself by tent-making so that he would not be a burden to them.  Initially this would be because there were few Christians.  But there also seemed to be something in the thinking of the Corinthians, that Paul resisted.  Thus, he teaches them to do this not for his benefit, and not solely for the benefit of teachers other than himself.  It was for their own good.  More work will come from the one who is blessed for it.  I might also add, that to the believer spiritual blessings are eternal.  They never end.  However, material blessings are only temporary.  Thus the logic of Paul is such that what is the big deal to give up something that is temporary out of thanks for something eternal?  There can be no reply outside of pure cynicism.

Now Paul compares disregarding this command to mocking God.  Very few would actually mock God to his face, but we can deceive ourselves about our "mocking" actions.  So Paul tells them to beware of deception in this matter.  They were being led away from the truth (It is right to support materially those who bless you spiritually).  In doing so they were mocking God.  The word mocked means to literally turn your nose up to God, to scoff or hold him and his ways in derision.  So Paul's logic is this.  God has revealed that the taught should supply the needs of the teacher.  When we refuse to do this we are mocking him.  In fact, anytime we refuse to walk in the ways that God reveals in his word we are mocking God.  

Paul says that they deceive themselves if they think they can continue on the path of rejecting God's word and not run into a negative result.  God is not mocked, does not mean people don't do it.  Rather it means they don't do it and get away with it.  They will regret it and God's ways will be shown to have been right.  Here Paul brings back the concept of "in the flesh" and "in the Spirit."  In chapter 5 we are told to walk in agreement with the spirit and not the flesh.  We are also told that the Holy Spirit will evidence certain fruit (actions) in our life.  Here he uses the picture of a farmer sowing seeds.

All farmers know that if they want a particular crop then they are going to have to sow that kind of seed.  It is a no brainer that is self-evident.  But we too often forget this in life.  The only reason to reject God's truth about supporting teachers is because our "flesh" would rather keep that money, food, whatever for ourselves.  When we walk in agreement with our flesh we are sowing seeds that will eventually mature and when they do we will find that the action ruined things, spoiled things, and destroyed things, both in our lives and the lives of those around us.  However, if we walk in agreement with the Holy Spirit (thus believing and doing God's word) we are likewise sowing seeds that, when they mature, will bring everlasting life, both to us and many around us.  This sowing principle will be enough for the spiritual man to convince him.  It is a warning to the fleshly minded believer that they are not "protected" by grace from the negative consequences of their choices.

It is easy to grow weary in any task.  Paul doesn't say it will come but challenges them to ward off weariness.  Doing good is not easy.  It is hard work at times, but it always bears good fruit.  Paul points to the coming harvest.  The harvest literally comes in "our season."  I believe that this is pointing not to a personal time of getting something from God in this life, but rather the coming season when God will turn all things over to the saints during the milllennium.  This is not our season in the world.  Our season is coming.  Until then we keep working although it may seem as worthless as a farmer putting good corn into the ground and waiting for it to bear fruit.

They Should Do Good to All People

Now Paul begins to move away from the issue of caring for their teachers and gives a general principle that reminds us of the "love your neighbor as yourself," command.  The "all men" here does literally mean all men, unbelievers included.  Jesus, of course, reminded us to "love our enemies," because in doing so we would demonstrate that we are children of God.

The reality is that in spite of all the negative things that have been done under the banner of Christianity, Christians have historically been known for caring for those who are not their own.  Whether it is the orphans of Rome left on the garbage heap to die or the lepers and untouchables of India, Christians have been on the forefront of helping those whom no one else would help.  And, this is as it should be.  For our Lord commanded us not to treat the world in the same way it treats us.  We are to do them good and leave justice, vengeance to God.  That doesn't mean we shouldn't have governments and laws against evil.  The Christian is not called to look at people who are not believers and despise them, but rather to love them and do good to them in the name of Christ.  We are not talking compromise here.  Rather we are talking simply how we treat others.  You can graciously disagree with someone, but many are disagreeable even with those who are on their side.

However, we should note that Paul does add a qualifying clause that says we ought to give priority to those who are believers.  Thus the sense is, Believers should love everyone, but especially love each other.  This is a simple lesson in priority.  Jesus said, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"  The rhetorical question obviously begs the answer, "nothing."  Surely it profits the world, but not the individual.  Even Jesus' sacrfice on the cross has a personal profit.  He will have us to spend eternity with him.  That was a joy to which he still looks forward.  Why would I take a mission trip to Equador to try and save people if I am not saved myself?  This is not an argument against missions or loving the lost, but rather a caution.

People like to say that they love Christ but hate his people, or have no problem loving sinners, but hate saints.  Now, I know that there are phonies out there, but we need to recognize that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.  Families always step on each other's feet and get in each other's personal space.  It is tougher to really love those who are closest to us because it costs us far more.  When I spend $2,000.00 to go overseas and share Jesus with someone, I'm there for a week or two and then I'm gone.  I have loved that person but not very deeply.  Paul's caution is that don't get so carried away with loving the world that you quit loving each other.  Our priority is to love each other well, then we are in a position to love the lost.

Picture the command that Jesus gives to his disciples.  They were to take the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Do you see the priority?  They were to make a global impact, but not without first making an impact at home.  Many ministers have learned this lesson the hard way as they "sacrificed" their own marriages and kids in trying to "love" the marriages and kids of other families.  Isn't that crazy?  Why would you give your neighbor's kid a smorgasborg when your kids are starving at home?  The point is not to squelch giving or love to others, but to ensure it is in Spirit and in Truth.  What is going on inside the person who easily loves those he doesn't know but can't truly love those he does?  Why is adultery so easy?  Because love is difficult and challenging.  It takes a real man and a real woman to love.  Adultery is another form of self love.  You can say you love that person you are trysting with, but in reality you only love yourself.  And, just as you run from the love of  your spouse today, you will run from the love of your adulterous partner tomorrow.  Love itself is a challenge.  As we go deeper in love, it hurts.  But as we die to our own comfort for the sake of others, joy is born and we enter into pleasures we have never known.

May God help us to live this kind of love for one another and for this lost world.