Open Heaven 24 April 2019 Wednesday – CARING FOR THE SHEPHERD

Open Heaven 24 April 2019 Wednesday – CARING FOR THE SHEPHERD

Open Heaven 24 April 2019 Memorise: If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your canal things? 1st Corinthians 9:11

Read: 1st Corinthians 9:6-14 Open Heaven 24 April 2019

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Open Heaven 24 April 2019

Bible in one year: Genesis 29:30, Jeremiah 23:33-24:10

Hymnal: Sing hymn 4

Message: – Open Heaven 24 April 2019 Wednesday Daily Devotional

The word ‘Shepherd’ is commonly used by Christians to describe pastors, evangelists, missionaries and others who play leadership roles in the Body of Christ. God expects members of the Body of Christ to provide all that is necessary for the health and welfare of Church leaders, as they labour to see to the spiritual wellbeing of the flock of Jesus Christ.

Caring for the shepherd can take the form of gifts or voluntary service from individuals or organised groups. Care can also come in the form of wages from the ministry or church through which the shepherd serves God. In this sense, wages can be defined as any form of economic compensation received in exchange for labour or services rendered. This may also include accommodation, provisions and additional benefits in cash or kind. The Holy Spirit revealed God’s mind on this matter, saying in 1st Corinthians 9:13-14:

“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preached the gospel should live of the gospel.”

Open Heaven 24 April 2019 Thursday

The Bible clearly teaches the right of pastors and spiritual leaders to receive care and wages in any form considering appropriate by members of the Body of Christ they are serving. Galatians 6:6 says:

“Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”

Also, in 1st Timothy 5:17-18, the Bible instructed that the elder who rules well and labours in teaching the word and doctrine should not only be appropriately compensated but should also be counted worthy of double honour. Above all, our Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly hammered on the fact that the workman in God’s vineyard deserves whatever care or wages he or she receives (Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:7).

Moreover, caring for shepherds ordained by God is a route to irreversible blessings. Some ignorantly see this as a means of making pastors rich, but the Bible and life experiences speak for themselves: the widow of Zarephath, the woman of Shunem, the words of Jesus in Mark 9:41, and testimonies too numerous to mention all serve as examples to follow in this regard.

Prayer Point – Open Heaven 24 April 2019

Father, grant me grace to consistently take care of your shepherds in Jesus’ Name.

That all for Open Heaven 24 April 2019 Wednesday, do consider to bookmark this site for your Open heavens daily devotionals and also if you missed yesterday Devotional click to read Open Heaven 23 April 2019 Tuesday and may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continue to keep us all. God bless you. Open Heaven 24 April 2019 Wednesday. Please comment and share what you have learnt, you might be a blessing to others.