Ministering to Saint’s needs for Kingdom Expansion
Ministering to Saint’s needs for Kingdom Expansion
1 Corinthians 16:13-18.
Key verse: 1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.
It is an indisputable fact that kingdom sustenance and expansion is primarily through the ministry of prayer and the word, and this holds for all ages, all people, and every assembly. However, there are other secondary ways we can support the continuous expansion of the Kingdom of God, especially a method that enhances the retainment of those already in the fold. This can be achieved by continuously looking out for the needs of the brethren and making provisions for them through individual and collective sacrifices in love. Apostle Paul particularly mentions the family of Stephanas as people whose ministry gift was ensuring that due attention was given to the needs of the brethren thereby preserving them in the faith and preventing physical needs from becoming an obstacle to falling from grace.
The foremost need of every saint is love- Romans 13:8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Love, sometimes indicated as ‘charity’ in the scriptures is irreplaceable and essential to ensure unity among brethren and promote Christ’s nature among saints- John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another. We can also offer words of comfort, encouragement, and counsel when we find other brethren in tumultuous situations. Our presence with them in their troublous moments speaks volumes and reassurance of a shoulder they can lean on when weak, overwhelmed, or confused- Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. Financial assistance and provisions are also recommended to help minimize the effect of the tenuous strain of physical impoverishment and lack- Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. Church leaders must create systems that track and recognize the needs of the people of God while also creating avenues of help and succour. A good example is shown in Acts 6:1-7 where the resultant effect of catering to the needs of the people brought more gains to the work of the gospel. We must take note to do all our ministrations under the guidance of the Holy Spirit so our good doesn’t become evil spoken of. Also, recipients of such goodness must ensure alignment with the word of God to prevent any hidden entrapment of the devil in such goodness.
