Day 187

Gaius

Greetings to brother Gaius vv 1-4

Accept strangers and brethren vv 5-6

Invest in God’s work vv 7-8

Uunjust words of Diothrephes vv 9-10

Special thanks to Demetrius vv 11-14

Key Verses: 4, 6, 10, 11

When you invest in someone’s life, and then hear that they are still doing well, it can bring great joy. I have had that experience many times over the course of my life. I have also had some great sorrows, as some have squandered my investment in them. We get calls, emails and Facebook posts with updates from hundreds of people, some good and some not so good.

John wrote to Gaius to encourage him and to return a good report to him. Gaius has been faithful and there is fruit to his ministry. Some of those whom he has positively impacted have reported to John how they are doing in the faith. John is passing along the report to encourage John to continue being faithful in his work with strangers.

These stranger are missionaries sent without support to spread the Gospel. Their only means of support is from people like Gaius. He showed hospitality. He probably let them live with him, provided them with food and other sustenance. It sounds like it also involved providing for their journey to their next stop.

Today we generally provide this kind of support through missions giving. We choose to support a missionary and we give regularly to support their work. We can give to help reach people where we will never set foot. Others are going, so we support their efforts.

The man named Diotrephes was doing just the opposite of Gaius. He was always looking out for his own reputation. He could stand it when others were doing well. He would put them and their work down. He was active in obstructing the good that others were doing.

I read a news blurb a couple weeks ago about the city stopping a young girl from selling lemonade to raise money for a person who was sick. I keep wondering if there isn’t something better to do with their time than shutting down lemonade stands. Aren’t there much greater violations of city codes going on with the crack houses and Meth labs? Aren’t they running a business without a license!

Don’t get in the way of someone trying to do good. In fact, we ought to come along side them, and encourage them. Join with those doing good. Don’t be afraid to use your voice to reinforce a good someone else is doing.