PONDERING... Gaius: A Testimony of Faithful Service Through Hospitality (3 John 5-8)

Gaius: A Testimony of Faithful Service Through Hospitality

GIST: Hospitality is Christian service, and should be reflected in all of our lives.

SCRIPTURE: 3 John 5-8

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Let's look at what is going on in this passage first. Then, we'll hit some take away. We see from these verses that Gaius is being a faithful servant to his fellow believers, even strangers. The result has been these brothers reporting his kindness to the Church. Now to clarify this a bit, it seems these brothers are traveling missionaries. Remember, at this time local churches met in homes and traveling ministers would come to preach and teach. These travelers were dependent upon the hospitality of the local congregations. Gaius provided this. John is commending him for this while also encouraging him to further support them by sending them off in "a manner worthy of God" because they receive no other support and helping is ministering for the Truth.

Okay, so here's some take away for us.

1. Be faithful to all believers, even strangers

• Horses wear blinders when they are racing or being used to drive carriages...etc, to keep out distractions. It helps them maintain a one-track focus. I'm not a horse expert or anything, but this seems to be a pretty practical design. Being male, I also know this is the tendency of our gender. If I'm going to be really productive, I often have to sound everything else out to "get it done". Unfortunately, sometimes this becomes our way of life as Christians. We set goals and strive to achieve them, but often pay little heed to those around us. However, Gaius demonstrates compassionate, and compassionate is not blind to others. 
• It is especially important for us, as Christians, to serve one another. We are the body of Christ. We were never meant to do this alone. And I think sometimes we see really excellent examples of this in local congregations, and that should be the case. Churches should be constantly looking out for the needs of one another and seeking to meet those. Yet, it shouldn't stop there. Gaius is helping these believers because they are servants of God even though they are strangers to him. We see from the account that he is likely taking these people into his home and providing for them. 
• Do you see this kind of compassion in your life? Do you want to help all believers, even strangers... even "strange ones" :D?

2. Treat them as you would God... in service, not worship

• Gaius is doing well, but John still admonishes him to do even more--sending these servants off in a manner worthy of God. Which means, we are to treat other believers with the same respect and care we would give God. Think about it in this context:
  • Matthew 25 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father,inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me.’
• Likewise, we should support the efforts of worthy ministries, even if these means monetarily, because:
  • 1- They should not be funded by the world. We cannot, and should not, expect Christian service to be supported by non-Christians. 
  • 2- This is Christian service! Don't be deceived. Support roles are essential aspects of ministry. This isn't a "feel good about your lame job" statement. It is truth. Every single piece in the ministry puzzle is used by God. Don't miss out on this blessing.

Short notes this time. But chew on it. Does your life look like this?