April 23, 2020: SOAP #3794:  1Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 10:6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

Observation: “The worker is worth his keep,” a commonly known truth that Jesus applies to sending out the disciples.  Jesus calls them “workers” or “laborers.”  What the disciples had to give out, they had freely received, so they were to freely give it out.  But they should expect that those receiving their ministry would value it and provide for their needs.  (Note the verses following.)

Application:   Several applications can be taken from this passage.  As a minister of the gospel, I need to hold what I have freely received as valuable and I need to expect those to whom I freely give it to learn its value.  As the Lord sends me, He will provide.

As an employer, I need to freely and gladly pay those who add value to my life/business.  As a good steward of the business God has given me, I may need to make needed adjustments to ensure that the cost of having employees is properly covered by the value they add.  A good employee is worth being appreciated in many ways.

As an employee, I need to make sure my labor brings in more than enough value to cover my salary and all the other costs of my employment.  I want tp be valuable to my employer.  (I am not really working for him; I am working for the Lord!)  I want my employer to be blessed because I am working for him; but most of all I want him blessed because God is with me at work!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may I be a valuable “worker” in your vineyard.  May I be worth my keep. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!