A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

 HOW TO SUPPORT THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL     

Matthew 10:9-10 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.” (Read Matthew 10:9-15)   

Jesus sent His Disciples out to where the people were. They were to “make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18-19) In His Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:18-19, He also gave them a promise that He would be with them always (verse 20.) In today’s devotional verses, Jesus told them to not be concerned about their personal support. He said to them, “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you . . . no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff. . . “ Jesus told them that there would be people in the communities where they went who would provide for their personal needs. If that did not occur, they should leave that community and go on to another. 

In the words of today’s devotional verses Jesus established a model by which missionaries to this very day are funded. Those who are the beneficiaries of their ministry, Jesus said, are to provide for the personal needs of the missionary. Jesus said the missionary is “worthy of his keep.”   

St. Paul requested the members of the church in Thessalonica to pray for him and those who were going from town to town to spread the Gospel. And he further encouraged them to pray that the message of the Gospel would spread. He further asked that they would pray to God to protect the missionaries from the wicked and evil people of the world. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3) 

Thirdly, the Gospel is spread by you. You, in your daily lives and relationships are to witness what you have heard and seen. Jesus, in His words that He spoke to His followers before His Ascension told them they should give their personal testimony and witness concerning Jesus, His saving work, and God’s desire for all to believe in His Son for the forgiveness of their sins, and to receive everlasting life. St. Paul wrote, “how can they believe unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10) 

Prayer: Lord, bless missionaries with the support they need and grant that I be filled with prayers for them and their work. Give me the passion and courage to personally tell others the Good News of Your love for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered  
Our human story; god in Him is centered.  
He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,  
With grace unbounded. 

See how He sends the pow’rs of evil reeling;  
He brings us freedom, light and life and healing.  
All men and women, who by guilt are driven,  
Now are for given. 

Come, celebrate, your banners high unfurling,  
Your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.  
To all the world go out and tell the story  
Of Jesus’ glory. 

Tell how the Father sent His Son to save us,  
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.  
Tell how the Spirit calls from ev’ry nation  
His new creation.  

Rise, Shine, You People // LSB 825