3 John 5-11: Two Sides of Christian Giving

Do you know God instructs believers in two different kinds of generosity and sacrifice? One is a general call to love everyone, while the other is a specific, strategic call to enable the work of the gospel. Do you know the difference? Are you doing both?

In 3 John 5-12, we find a powerful example of a believer named Gaius who understood this distinction perfectly. But before we dive into his story, let’s go on a rabbit trail to explore this unique aspect of Christian giving and service.

A Rabbit Trail: The Difference Between General Generosity and Supporting Ministry

It’s crucial to understand that the hospitality and financial support John commends Gaius for is distinct from the general generosity and kindness every Christian is called to practice.

The Bible consistently presents a two-fold call on our lives: a general call to love and serve all people, and a specific call to strategically support those who teach God's word.

We see this pattern established clearly in the Old Testament. The people of Israel were given specific instructions for their giving. A portion of their tithe was to be brought to the Temple to support the priests and Levites. This was not a random act of charity; it was a divine command to sustain the full-time ministry of the Temple and the teaching of the Law. The Levites, having no land, were entirely dependent on this system. Their livelihood was a direct result of their fellow Israelites' faithfulness.

At the same time, the Old Testament also contains numerous commands for general generosity. The Israelites were told to care for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner or "stranger" among them. They were to leave the corners of their fields unharvested so the poor could glean for food. This was a separate and equally important instruction. They were to love the stranger because they themselves were once strangers in Egypt. This was a call to general compassion and justice for anyone in need.

The support for the Levites was for a specific purpose (the work of the ministry), while the support for the poor and the stranger was for a general purpose (charity and justice).

This pattern continues into the New Testament. Christians are instructed to be generous and hospitable to all people. We are told to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10). This is our general call. However, there are also specific and unique instructions regarding the support of those who dedicate their lives to ministry.

John’s praise for Gaius in 3 John is a perfect example. He calls Gaius a "co-laborer in the truth" because his support directly enabled the traveling missionaries to do their work. It was a partnership in the gospel. Similarly, Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians 9 about his right to receive financial support from the churches he served, likening it to a farmer deserving a share of his crop. He reinforces this principle in Galatians 6:6, stating, "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches." And in 1 Timothy 5:17-18, he explicitly says that elders who "labor in preaching and teaching" are worthy of "double honor," which in context, refers to both respect and financial compensation, just as the Old Testament laborer deserved his wages.

This is the key distinction: General generosity is an an act of loving compassion for anyone in need. Supporting teachers and missionaries is a strategic act of partnership in the gospel.

It's a way for us to participate directly in the spiritual work of building God's kingdom and equipping believers. While all giving and service are important, God's word places a unique and vital emphasis on enabling the ministry of the Word, freeing up those who teach to fully focus on their God-given mission.

Setting the Scene FOR 3 JOhn 5-12:

Today, we're exploring 3 John 5-12, a text that is a powerful endorsement of Christian hospitality. To truly grasp the significance of John's words, we need to understand the world in which these believers lived. The early church didn't have the luxury of established seminaries, bible colleges, or denominational structures. Instead, traveling missionaries, teachers, and evangelists were the lifeblood of the movement. These itinerant workers would journey from town to town, sharing the gospel and building up local churches.

As you can imagine, this presented a significant challenge: where would they stay? They couldn't just book a room at the local Holiday Inn. There were inns, but they were often dangerous, disreputable, and expensive. This made the practice of housing traveling ministers and missionaries a critical act of Christian love and support. John is writing to a man named Gaius, commending him for his faithfulness in supporting these "strangers." This was more than just offering a spare bed; it was an act of partnership. By providing for these missionaries, Gaius was actively participating in their work. He was, in essence, a co-laborer in the gospel.

This also highlights a problem John was addressing. There was a leader named Diotrephes who was rejecting these very people, refusing to welcome them and even excommunicating those who did. He was driven by a selfish desire to be "first," a sharp contrast to the self-sacrificial love that is the hallmark of Christ's followers. John, therefore, is drawing a clear line in the sand between those who exhibit true Christian character (Gaius) and those who are consumed by their own pride and ambition (Diotrephes).

UNPACKING IT A LITTLE MORE

John begins by commending Gaius for his faithful support of the traveling brothers. He says, "Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in everything you do for the brothers and sisters, and especially for strangers" (3 John 5). This is a beautiful affirmation of selfless service. Gaius wasn't doing this for recognition or applause; he was doing it out of a genuine love for Christ and His people. This is the essence of true Christian hospitality: an open heart and an open home, not just for our friends, but for those we don't know.

John then contrasts Gaius with Diotrephes, a man who "loves to be first among them" (3 John 9). Diotrephes's actions were the exact opposite of Gaius's. He was selfish, inhospitable, and even malicious, spreading "malicious nonsense" about John and his messengers. This serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of pride and a desire for power within the church. Diotrephes was creating a "little kingdom of his own" instead of serving in the Kingdom of God. This is a timeless lesson: our leadership and our relationships in the church should always be about serving others, not about elevating ourselves.

Finally, John encourages Gaius, "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good" (3 John 11). He sets up a clear dichotomy: Gaius's selfless hospitality is "good," while Diotrephes's prideful exclusion is "evil." John reminds us that true Christian character is demonstrated not by our words, but by our actions. Demetrius, the third figure mentioned, is presented as an example of someone with a "good testimony from everyone," a model of what a faithful Christian leader should look like.

For us today, the applications are numerous. We may not be housing traveling apostles, but we are called to be people of hospitality. Our tithes, our resources, our homes, and our kindness should all be a reflection of Christ's love, not our own ambition, and should be used to partner with those who dedicate their lives to teaching the word of God.

Questions for you to chew on and discuss

• How can we, as modern-day Christians, practice the kind of hospitality that John is commending to Gaius? What does "supporting the work of the truth" look like in your life?

  
  

• In what ways can a desire to "be first" manifest itself in our churches or personal lives today, and how can we guard against it?

Journey Group Discussion Starter: 

Think about a time you experienced radical hospitality from another believer. What made it so impactful? How did that experience affirm the "good" John is talking about?

Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!

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EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE

From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇

For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!

As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.

Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.

There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.

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