Friday 11 Aug 2017

August 11: Luke 8:1-3

Key Verse: Luke 8:3
Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Devotion:
While Jesus went from town to town telling people of the Kingdom of God there were people who went with Him. This disciples for one; but there were also women who went with them. One of them was a wife to Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household! These women were of various ages and not just going because it seemed like a good idea; rather they followed Christ and the disciples because of their gratitude for what Christ had done for them!

They were willing to go the extra mile to look after the disciples and Jesus because they were in need – they did not go out with a huge bag of money and visit all the local inns and hotels. These men had given up everything to follow Christ. Now these ladies were also giving up a lot to follow Christ and help out because they could. By the sound of it, their husbands were probably all working and supporting them, so they wanted to pass on some of this now.

When we see what Christ has done for us, what He continues to do and how much more there is which He has promised to do – we should have no issue with giving up a little to support the ministers and missionaries who are going out of their ways to teach others about the Kingdom of God. It is not up to us to dictate where they should be going and what they should be doing though. It is God who is calling them and God they should be following – we should be willing to support them in their calling.

Now, Jesus and the disciples were not sucking them dry financially, nor where they dictating what the women should give them or do for them. They were grateful for the support and must have continued to teach them more about God too. Don’t withhold because you don’t like what someone is doing – if they have been called by God and are following Him to do His work, then we should be willing to support them where we can…

Points to Ponder:
Do you give toward any missionaries or ministers?

God continues to support our missionaries and ministers in many ways!