Today we have a special Greek word, easy to define and describe, yet critical to our calling as Christians. The word is “propempō,” joining the verb “to send” with the prefix indicating “before, forward, ahead.” Thus, we have “to accompany, escort; to help on one’s journey.” It is used 9x in the NT, all with the same context.
· Acts 15:3: the Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas on their way to Jerusalem. Probably they paid their expenses, but certainly they sent them with the authority to speak for their church.
· Acts 20:38: the Ephesian elders "accompanied" Paul to the ship. There is no mention of financial assistance, but these men accompanied Paul as a form of encouragement. They were aware Paul thought it might be the last time they would see each other, and the reason would have to do with Paul’s upcoming ministry in Jerusalem. Money does not meet all needs. We need to exercise the gift of giving, but we also need to use the gift of encouragement/ comfort.
· Acts 21:5: the disciples of Tyre accompanied Paul and his group out of town and prayed on the beach before he boarded his ship. Again, this is not a time of financial need but a time when what is needed must come from the Lord. So they prayed, right there on the beach.
· Rom 15:24: Paul planned for them to assist him on his journey to Spain. While you might assume “money” you need to understand Paul’s attitude on these things. Yes, he accepted gifts. But in Phil. 1:5 he noted how the church had helped him from the beginning of their relationship with him. They were “partakers” of the grace of God along with him (1:7). He could get along with a little or a lot, but mainly he wanted fellow-believers to be blessed and for God to be blessed by the sweet aroma of their sacrifices (4:14-18).
· 1 Cor 16:6,11: Paul might stop in Corinth so they can help him on his way; in the meantime Paul wanted them to help Timothy on his way.
· 2 Cor 1:16: Paul had wanted to stop there in Corinth so they could help him on his way. Some in Corinth struggled with this. They wanted Paul to come personally to visit them and felt snubbed when he went other place but not to Corinth. These are attitudes that work against “propempō.”
· Titus 3:13: Titus told to help Zenas and Apollos on their way.
· 3Jn 6: Gaius needs to help itinerate ministers on their way. This epistle highlights this idea. Gaius was willing to help travelling servants of Christ. Diotrephes (1:9) did not do this and apparently prevented the church from doing this important ministry. Diotrephes wanted to be the “big man” in the church. John warned that he would come and call attention to this.
What is your attitude toward “missions giving?” Do you see it as just a “church” thing or do you seek opportunities to encourage them in your own life?
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