The Book Of Galatians Chapter 6 Part 3 Christians Have A Duty To Support Their Pastor

When any child of God strays, the Father's goal is our restoration.

Galatians 6:1-5  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2)  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3)  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4)  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5)  For every man shall bear his own burden. 

The Holy Spirit guided Paul to deal with Christians who are overtaken in a fault. 

God's heart is for those who are walking faithfully with Christ to come alongside to help restore the erring brother or sister in Christ.

We must always remember that in our flesh dwells nothing good and that the potential to sin or fall into error is also in us.

We must devote ourselves to studying the scriptures, to earnest prayer and communion with God and to worshiping Him in Spirit and in truth.

If we pursue the things of God vigorously then we can keep our body under subjection so that we can be used by God to help recover the errant believer. 

The apostle now turns to teach us about Christian stewardship and service.

Going to Christian elementary school to learn essential, basic truths of faith.

Galatians 6:6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 

The words "Let him that is taught in the word" refers to Christians who sit under the public preaching of the scriptures by their pastor.

The Greek word is found in the word "catechism." 

This word refers to a form of teaching the principles of our Christian faith by means of questions and answers.

A catechism instructs new converts to Christ in the essential and foundational truths or principles from the Bible. 

I was raised in a Lutheran church and I recall taking catechism classes as a child. 

Catechism is very much like going to elementary school (K-6) to learn the basics of reading, writing, math, science, art and music.

For example, we memorized the Ten Commandments with simple explanations of what each command means for us.

New converts to Christ must drink the milk of scripture to start growing.

1 Peter 2:2-3  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3)  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 

This corresponds with Peter's command to cultivate a desire to drink in the milk of God's Word. 

We must long to hear the Word preached. 

We must follow along in our Bible as our Pastor preaches and teaches truth to us.

Milk refers to mother's milk which is fully nutritious, wholesome and good for an infant to drink.

Mother's milk provides an infant with optimal nutrition, a boost to the baby's immune system, improved digestion, better cognitive development and a lower risk of chronic disease.

Peter gave us a beautiful spiritual picture. 

Drinking in the pure milk of the scriptures promotes growth in new Christians, who are called babes in Christ (See 1 Corinthians 3:1; Hebrews 5:13).

Milk comes first for new converts to Christ. This is analogous to learning the alphabet and grammar so that we can learn to read.

Strong meat comes later, after we have grown and made some progress toward maturity in our faith in Christ. 

Galatians 6:6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Having this perspective, let us examine again what Paul is saying.

He is speaking to new Christians who have been taught foundational truths about our faith in Christ.

They now have a duty to "communicate" to him that teacheth in all good things.  

This word literally means to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, be made a partner.

Our "communication" is to be directed toward the man who teaches all good things. 

In other words, we are to communicate to our pastor. 

What does this mean? It is not just verbal communication with our Pastor. The idea of partnering, fellowshipping and sharing refers to supporting our Pastor.

In the early church, Pastors received food, clothing and shelter from those to whom they ministered to.

We must contribute according to our ability to support  the man who has dedicated himself to the work of the ministry, and who gives up his time and his life to preach the Gospel. 

This truth connects with the law of Moses where the Hebrews were warned not to neglect supplying food, clothing and shelter to the Levites, who ministered to them in the tabernacle (See Deuteronomy 12:19).

Jesus sent forth His disciples preaching the gospel with signs and wonders, telling them that those to whom they preached would support their daily needs of food, clothing or shelter (See Matthew 10).

Some believers in Galatia received Pastoral ministry without contributing to his support. 

This showed a heart of ingratitude toward God's minister to them. 

We would not expect a school teacher to teach our children without being paid for it. 

It is not right for anyone to sit under the preaching of the Gospel and to grow wise unto salvation by it, and not contribute to the support of the Pastor.  

Believers in each local church supported their Pastor so that he could give himself to studying the scriptures and prayer.

They received funding for travel expenses like Paul did as he gathered an offering to take to the poor saints in Jerusalem. 

The example of the apostles receiving support so they could study and pray.

Acts 6:1-4  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2)  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3)  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4)  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 

This principle was laid down by the apostles when certain widows did not receive food when it was distributed. 

God's Spirit guided Paul to tell the churches they must support the pastor.

1 Corinthians 9:7-11  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? 

Later, Paul wrote to remind Christians at Corinth that they had a responsibility to support the apostles and church leaders like a Pastor.

Paul connected this duty to the law of God that said the mouth of an ox that is harnessed to a grinding stone must not be muzzled.

The ox is doing hard and valuable work as it powers the grinding stone so that good grain usable for making bread is produced.

If the ox eats some of the grain as he pushes the stone around, that is good, for he is expending energy in grinding out the grain. 

In like manner, a Pastor labors in studying the Word so that he may feed his congregation God's truth. 

Thus the word "communication" refers to each Christian supporting their Pastor by supplying food, clothing or shelter.

In modern terms, it means providing a salary and benefits for our Pastor so that they are free to devote themselves to spiritual ministry.

For example, we supply our Pastor with a salary, retirement and health care package. Our church built a home (parsonage) for our Pastor and his family to dwell in.

This is what Paul is getting at in this text.

We must learn what it means to sow to the Spirit. 

Galatians 6:7-8  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

We have a warning from God through His apostle. If we profess faith in Christ and we do not support His gospel ministry, we are mocking God.

No man will mock God and prosper. 

What we sow is what we will reap and this connects with believers standing at the judgment seat of Christ (See Romans 14:8-12; 1 Corinthians 3:8-15).

This judgment concerns our love for God and others and our service for God and to others. 

God will search the motivation of our heart and see if our profession of faith matches how we chose to live.

Romans 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Paul also connects this truth to Judaizers who sought to add works to the gospel of Christ, in order to gain God's favor.

Adding works to the gospel of Christ is sowing to the flesh and scripture tells us no flesh shall ever be justified in God's sight. 

The just shall live by faith not by works (See Romans 1:17).

We walk by faith (See 2 Corinthians 5:7).

By grace we are saved by faith that we might live for God's glory (See Ephesians 2:8-10).

If we sow to the Spirit by faithfully obeying the Word of God, we will reap eternal life.

Let us be diligent to do what God has clearly taught us to do.

Let us bless our Pastors who faithfully labor in the Word and prayer so that they might minister to us.

Let our God be glorified by our response to His Word. 

Bob