Daily Devotional for Wednesday, August 27

Paul’s Coworkers

“I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied,” 1 Corinthians 16:17.

On my first short-term mission trip, I went to Romania with three other individuals to help three different missionaries with some of their needs. We worked with one of the missionaries on his house and it was a very busy time for us and especially the missionary and his wife. Once back in the United States, I saw the missionary and his wife at a meeting of churches. I came up to them and said hello and asked how everything turned out that we had worked on. It turned out that they were so busy while we were there that they did not even remember me being there. It really did not bother me too much because I was not there for recognition but to help them with their needs.

The apostle Paul was always good at recognizing those who traveled with him or were working in conjunction with him. He reminded the people that his helpers were working for the Lord, “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do” (verse 10). Paul also let them know that sometimes the church he was working with did not always supply everything that he needed, but that his helpers that came not only helped him but helped the people in the church also (verse 17). These coworkers did not do this work for recognition, but Paul always recognized them.

REFLECTION

For all you coworkers for Christ, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father”

(1 Thessalonians 1:2, 3).

Tim Chambers