In testing the world, Jesus first emptied himself in order to dwell among humanity. Symbolically, He empties his disciples. He sends us into the cities without any possessions. But, it is important to understand that Jesus never intended for his disciples to lack or to be homeless–quite the contrary. His first directive is that we find a household to stay while we carry out our assignments. It is the city's responsibility to provide the hospitality. Condemnation is set against a city when the messenger is cast out. Even greater condemnation is brought upon a city when her overwhelming response is shun and contempt. But, to taunt God's servant in their lowly state renders God's wrath in the current age.
⁹“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. ¹⁰Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. ¹¹“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. ¹²When you enter the home, give it your blessing. ¹³If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. ¹⁴If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. (Matthew Ch.10 v9-14,NLT)
To cast the servant from a household is an act of unwelcoming rebellion, which is charged against the entire city. If there then be any redemption, it is unto the individual—based on individual repentance. Jesus came to save our souls, not to spare our cities. A city that turns away from God's messenger cannot reclaim its blessings unless, likened to Nineveh, there is a sincere transformation in the community through collective repentance. Seeking to regain blessings or rewards without true repentance is an act of theft from God and a deception against the Holy Spirit.
Every disciple is given specific gifts. Again, I freely give of my spiritual gift of prophecy. Howbeit, unlike spiritual gifts, the blessings and rewards that flow through one's ministry, are revoked when the servant is rejected. The prophecies are not revoked. Therefore, regardless of whether the city meets her responsibilities, we who serve God must remain faithful to our call.
What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! (Matthew Ch.10 v27, NLT)
“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!" (Isaiah 58:1 (NLT)
God does not punish his prophets for speaking messages of doom, disaster, and fear (aka, warning and reverence)—that's what we're called to do. He actually rewards us for fulfilling our mission.
The Disciple's Reward
Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” ²⁸Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. (Matthew Ch.19 v27-30, NLT); [Ref. Mark Ch.10 v28-31]
If God doesn't punish us for it; then, neither should man.
Take back what the devil stole from you? Ouch! How insulting. Firstly, I'm not the devil. Secondly, even if I had "stolen" something from this city, you—who are new to the faith, ought to have learned this important principle from those who brought you into the fold:
Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. (Luke 6:30, NLT)
Without a doubt, seasoned believers should already be following this practice.
God is the source of all our resources, including food and water. He tests his cities in the fair and ethical distribution of those resources. Thus, what matters more to Him is the countenance of the giver, rather than simply going through the motions for compensation. Consequently, you can't be the city who casts out and claim the reward.
Recommended Reading: Matthew Ch.10
⁹“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. ¹⁰Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed. ¹¹“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. ¹²When you enter the home, give it your blessing. ¹³If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. ¹⁴If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. (Matthew Ch.10 v9-14,NLT)
To cast the servant from a household is an act of unwelcoming rebellion, which is charged against the entire city. If there then be any redemption, it is unto the individual—based on individual repentance. Jesus came to save our souls, not to spare our cities. A city that turns away from God's messenger cannot reclaim its blessings unless, likened to Nineveh, there is a sincere transformation in the community through collective repentance. Seeking to regain blessings or rewards without true repentance is an act of theft from God and a deception against the Holy Spirit.
Every disciple is given specific gifts. Again, I freely give of my spiritual gift of prophecy. Howbeit, unlike spiritual gifts, the blessings and rewards that flow through one's ministry, are revoked when the servant is rejected. The prophecies are not revoked. Therefore, regardless of whether the city meets her responsibilities, we who serve God must remain faithful to our call.
What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! (Matthew Ch.10 v27, NLT)
“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins!" (Isaiah 58:1 (NLT)
God does not punish his prophets for speaking messages of doom, disaster, and fear (aka, warning and reverence)—that's what we're called to do. He actually rewards us for fulfilling our mission.
The Disciple's Reward
Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” ²⁸Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. ³⁰But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. (Matthew Ch.19 v27-30, NLT); [Ref. Mark Ch.10 v28-31]
If God doesn't punish us for it; then, neither should man.
Take back what the devil stole from you? Ouch! How insulting. Firstly, I'm not the devil. Secondly, even if I had "stolen" something from this city, you—who are new to the faith, ought to have learned this important principle from those who brought you into the fold:
Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. (Luke 6:30, NLT)
Without a doubt, seasoned believers should already be following this practice.
God is the source of all our resources, including food and water. He tests his cities in the fair and ethical distribution of those resources. Thus, what matters more to Him is the countenance of the giver, rather than simply going through the motions for compensation. Consequently, you can't be the city who casts out and claim the reward.
Recommended Reading: Matthew Ch.10
