This principle doesn’t fail. If church members take care of their pastors and leaders, businessmen and other members in the church will be blessed. There is a reward for receiving spiritual authority. Jesus said, “He who receives you, receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward . . . And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:40-42).
John Bevere, in his book Under Cover, teaches that “Many times God will send us what we need in a package we don’t want.” The Jews rejected their Messiah even though the prophets prophesied how he would come to earth as a little child. (Isaiah 9:6-7) They expected a conquering king. But instead He came as a carpenter’s son. They said among themselves, “This is not the way we want or expect the Messiah!”
It is interesting to note that Jesus “could not” do any miracles in his hometown of Nazareth because they were “offended” at Him and dishonored Him. (Mark 6:2-4) Where is a prophet or one of the five-fold ministry gifts without honor? Too often it is in his home and among his own. I have seen many people offended at an evangelist or other ministry gift because they did not like the packaging or personality of the minister. Those people lost a blessing because they dishonored or rejected the one God sent. “Many times God will send us what we need in a package we don’t want.” This will manifest the true condition of our heart, exposing whether we are submitted to God’s authority or are resistant to it.
This Christmas season is a good time to give double honor, especially to those who labor in the Word. Find prayerful and creative ways to honor them. If you want to double your pleasure, “Give respect and honor to all to whom it is due” (Romans 13:7). Put Christ in your Christmas.