Daily Scripture Reading 3John 1:1-8
Many people in the 21st century make it a high priority to get a great education so that they can land a great job and be financially secure. Those goals often require involvement in many extra-curricular activities and joining the right clubs.
There is nothing wrong with schooling or landing a great job. However, today we will start reading 3John and see a very different perspective on what believers should value the most.
3John 1 ¶ The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
This letter was written by the elder to a man named Gaius.
3John 2 ¶ Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3John 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brothers came and bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
Take note that the elder had heard Gaius was walking in the truth.
3John 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Think about the elder’s priorities. Think about what the elder did and did not say. The elder did not say his greatest joy was for his children to be rich or famous. The elder’s greatest joy was for his children to walk in truth.
Our society values money, prestige, and fame. Thus, most people are focused on getting into the right schools, and perhaps into the right fraternities or sororities, so that they can get a great education, land a prestigious and well-paying job, and become wealthy, influential, and respected.
There is nothing wrong with education, good jobs, or being influential. However, those things should not be what Christians value the most. Instead, believers should emulate the elder and desire, above everything else, to walk in truth.
3John 5 ¶ Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever work you do for the brothers, and are doing this though they are strangers;
Don’t miss the word strangers. The elder praised Gaius because Gaius was helping brothers. But Gaius was not just helping brothers whom he knew, he was also helping brothers whom he did not know.
3John 6 and they bore witness to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
3John 7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, receiving nothing from the Gentiles.
3John 8 Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
The elder made it clear that believers should offer financial support to those who go out for the sake of the Name.
Our society values money, prestige, and fame. There is nothing wrong with education, good jobs, or being influential. However, those things should not be what Christians value the most. Instead, believers should emulate the elder and make it their greatest desire to walk in truth.
What should parents do to teach their children to prioritize walking in truth?
What should churches and pastors do to establish an environment in which Christians value walking in truth over money, fame, and prestige?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”