Luke 8 opens with a scene from Jesus’ traveling ministry. He went from one place to another “preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.” With him were the Twelve, the apostles–his constant traveling companions for the better part of three years. Also with him were a group of women, three who were named along with “many others.”
What did these women do on their travels with Jesus?
[They] were supporting them from their possessions.
Luke 8:3
Missions work takes funding. Even Jesus and his apostles needed supplied in various ways. That’s not to say that God couldn’t or doesn’t supply miraculously. We see plenty in the Bible where God supplies for people and his mission in unusual, extraordinary ways.
But that’s the thing about the miraculous–it’s unusual and extraordinary. The ordinary or daily means that God uses to support the spread of the Gospel is the giving of time, money, and resources from his people.
The contributions that came from these women is, then, an example for us. We go with the Gospel where we can and then we support those who go where we can’t. They need food, supplies, lodging, and travel arrangements. One of our roles as God’s people is to provide what we can. This way, the Gospel spreads and disciples are made from all nations.
This post is part of a devotional series based on our 2020 Bible Reading Calendar. All Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible.
Image source: Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash
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