“contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing
hospitality.” (Romans 12:13, NASB95)
This verse begins with the word “contribute” which immediately
causes some to think when they hear it that they are to contribute to the needy
saints in some form of financial or other tangible way. Tonight I asked one of
my sons about his thoughts, and he responded with it having to do with
partnering. And he was totally correct. The word here translated “contribute” (or
“sharing” or “distributing” in other translations) means to come into
fellowship, partner, participate, or share in an activity. While this may
include those for mentioned needs above, it has a much richer and complete
meaning, which in this case is the needs of the saints.
The word used is the Greek word koinoneo which comes from the same root that another word, koinonia comes, which is the word
commonly used for our fellowship, community, and communion. It has to do with
not only us being together but how we are commonly united. In the context of
Romans 12:13 we are to come together in active participation in helping one
another (the saints) with what is necessary or needed.
In Ephesians 4 we read about the work of people of the church
(the one another’s) in building up one another with those things that are
necessary such that the whole body is built up together. “And He gave some as
apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors
and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the
building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure
of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no
longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by
every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful
scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into
Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and
held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of
each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of
itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11–16, NASB95) Here we read about the whole body
being fitted and held together by what every individual member contributes as
each person does his or her part.
And if we are going to do this thing of coming together and
working together to build up and help one another with whatever the need might
be (physical, spiritual, functional, or other) then we have to strive to be
open, friendly, and welcoming to one another.
Romans 12:13 continues with “practicing hospitality,” which
comes from a root word having to do with friendship. In other words we are to
come together as committed friends would to work together to build up and help
one another as we together function effectively as the body of Christ—the church.
And when we do this, then we also will proclaim a loud distinction between
ourselves and the world. We read in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to
you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love
one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another.” (John 13:34–35, NASB95)
In contrast this morning I went to get a haircut. While I
was waiting a Jehovah’s Witness was sitting in the chair telling the barber how
his church had a complete understanding of the Bible among other things. While
I wanted to jump right into that conversation, I was not invited and there were
others waiting. So, I listened and prayed. As I listened the barber told the
person in the chair that all of the churches had problems and that he didn’t need
to go to any church to follow God. I listened through the next person in the
chair and still had a while to go with others behind me. I realized that I
would not get a chance to share about those conversations in an open way, so I
excused myself and told him I would be back later in the week. When I go back I
will bring something with me for him to read, which he does do, that addresses
how all of these roads cannot be correct. I am hoping for an empty shop when I
return.
One thing I was struck with was his reasoning for not going
to church—the problems. While I know that this is sometimes an excuse to hide
something in the individual’s own life, it is also used when people have
experienced some hurt at church. And while it may or may not have been
intentional, it left a mark on the individual. I hope to talk with him about
the ‘why,’ and maybe even talk with him again about having a relationship with
God and through that the importance of working together with other people
united in Christ who are growing together in the same relationship.
Working together for the long haul happens best when we
genuinely care for each other and treat them a warm and friendly manner. The next
verse in Romans that we will look at speaks about those times when we encounter
the ugly side of people. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not
curse.” (Romans 12:14, NASB95)
“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without
complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one
another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do
so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as
one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things
God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and
dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:8–11, NASB95)
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