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REFLECTION

“Steady support, wise words” is the theme for our reflection. A steady support is a consistent form of aid or help, such as a reliable friend, family member, or mentor who is always available to provide assistance. Wise words means insightful understanding, guidance and knowledge expressed on a subject matter. In Acts 18, we are introduced to a Christian couple who were missionaries who worked with Paul and also mentored Apollos in the preaching of the Gospel. Their names were Priscilla (wife) and Aquila (Husband)

Priscilla and Aquila provided steady support for Paul’s ministry by hosting Paul and allowing Him to work with them in their tent making business to earn a living. “After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 18:1-4) Dear friend, Paul was compelled to work because at that point in time there was famine and regular support may not be forthcoming from the missionary headquarters in Jerusalem. It was commendable on the part of Priscilla and Aquila to support Paul and enable him practice his trade to earn a living even as he continues to preach the Gospel. In other words, when times became hard, Priscilla and Aquila did not only host Paul but also offered him employment for him to make enough money to support himself. It should be noted that Priscilla and Aquila were also in a period of distress since they were forced to leave Rome to Corinth. Elsewhere, they would not have hosted Paul or allowed him to join them in their tent making business since they themselves were also experiencing economic turbulence and instability as a result of the Emperor Claudius’ policy to exile all Jews from Rome at the time. Priscilla and Aquila have taught us to show compassion and be hospitable to one another even in times of distress or hardship. We must be consistent in our support for the spread of the Gospel by helping or caring for the servants of the Lord. They would have wished that Paul was exempted from the work but Paul by his nature wouldn’t want to be a burden on them, especially in a time of economic distress, It is for this reason, he wrote to the Thessalonians, “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). When it becomes critical, especially in a national disaster or economic crisis, the servants of the Lord may have to take up additional employment to augment the little support the Church gives them. This goes to establish the fact that pastors and other workers of the church have needs to fulfilled meanwhile the support of the Church in some areas is woefully inadequate to met their personal and family needs. There must be a policy encouraging these affected agents of the church to work but ensure that their auxiliary employment or business does not interfere with the core business of the Church and the spread of the Gospel. Some pastors have lost focus as a result their side business or employment.

Priscilla and Aquila also provided steady support by being good teachers of the Gospel. They taught Apollos the true wisdom of the Gospel. “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” (Acts 18 24-28). Beloved in the Lord, being eloquent and knowing the Scriptures off by heart does not mean you understand the Scriptures and the wisdom of God concerning our Salvation through Jesus Christ, our Saviour. In other words, being a good orator and having ability to quote Scriptures does not mean we understand the Scriptures. Understanding the Scriptures to make us wise, discerning and being able to effectively preach impacful and soul- winning sermons is the work of the Holy Spirit through people who have had an encounter and continue to have a relationship with Jesus. It is for this reason when Apollos demonstrated ignorance in his wisdom or understanding of the Scripture, Priscilla and Aquila “…took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (Act 18:26). Apollos was humble to be mentored by believers who possessed more wisdom or understanding in the way of the Lord than him. Are preachers of our time as humble as Apollos? Or we possess the “I know it all” attitude?” Our pastors are like Priscilla and Aquila who are always available to provide mentorship in the understanding and preaching of the Scripture, without humility it is will be impossible for us to be taught for us to also grow to become impactful teachers. No one is the repository of knowledge, we are all learning and growing into the perfect image of Christ through the knowledge, divine wisdom and revelation in the Scripture. We can become great preachers and evangelists in the church, but we must first learn and be trained accurately in the way of God before we can go out into the world there to represent Jesus and be the light in the darkness.

In summary, we have deliberated on the theme “Steady support, wise words” We have discovered that as true believers we must avail ourselves to support the ministry and mission of God by offering steady support to His servants and also providing mentorship for believers who are called or have the desire to preach the Gospel.

PRAYER

Almighty God provide us the means to be hospitable and supportive in ensuring that the Gospel reaches every corner of the earth. May You also grant us wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures so that we shall effectively mentor or train others to become impactful preachers of the Gospel. Amen.