In the book of Third John, we read a tale of three Christians - Gaius, who John commended; Diotrephes, who John saw as cantankerous; and Demetrius, who John cited as being consistent in His walk with Christ.
John identifies himself here as “the elder,” which is a term that is used interchangeably in the New Testament with “bishop” and “pastor.” The term “pastor” refers to one who shepherds and feeds the flock of God. The word “bishop,” means an overseer or administrator. “Elder” emphasizes the idea of maturity and counsel. It is in the latter context that John writes - to share out of his maturity and offer counsel to Gaius - one who John says he 1oves. So it is that in third John we have the “beloved disciple,” the Apostle John, addressing one of his “beloved disciples,” Gaius. And as John addresses Gaius, he mentions Diotrephes and Demetrius. Let’s note what we are told about each of these men. Today, let’s think about what John has to say about Gaius - a commendable Christian.
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1. He was a growing Christian - vs. 1-4
John pronounces a blessing upon Gaius here in association with his greeting. We must be careful not to make too much of this verse, as a say, many so called “health and wealth” preachers do. John isn’t guaranteeing that we’ll be blessed physically and financially if we are growing in Christ. This isn’t a verse that we can go around “claiming” and insisting that God is obligated to make us wealthy and healthy because of our commitment to Jesus.
Rather, John is commending Gaius’ commitment to grow in the Lord by saying something like, “Man Gaius, you are really growing in Christ! If you were being blessed financially or physically half as much as you are growing to be more like Jesus, then think of how healthy and wealthy you would be.” “In fact,” John says, “That is my prayer - that your financial and physical blessing would mirror your spiritual health and spiritual wealth.”
To insist that John is teaching that those who are right with God will be wealthy and healthy is to misunderstand spiritual growth and misrepresent the teaching of Scripture. The fact is, some of the greatest occasions for growth are times of financial and physical difficulty.
For the growing Christian, our primary goal is not to be healthy, as good as that is, or wealthy, as good as that might seem to be.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” - 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
“. . . men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” - 1 Timothy 6:5-7 (NIV)
Now, Paul isn’t criticizing getting exercise or making money. He is simply saying there is a priority in life for the Christian that should be of greater importance than keeping health or gaining wealth - our goal is godliness - being more like Christ. But how does this happen?
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature . . .” - 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT)
When a physician remarked on a new patient’s extraordinarily ruddy complexion, he said, “High blood pressure, Doc. It comes from my family.” “Your mother’s side or your father’s?” I asked. “Neither,” he replied. “It’s from my wife’s family.” “Oh, come now,” I said. “How could your wife’s family give you high blood pressure?” He sighed. “You just oughta meet ’em sometime, Doc!”
As part of God’s family, we have a rich inheritance. Through God’s Word we can learn about what is ours in Christ and through God’s Spirit we can live according to what is ours in Christ. This is walking in the truth - the truth of who we are and what we have in Christ!
A growing Christian knows that his true wealth is found in his riches in Christ and his true health is found in his walking with Christ. This is why Paul could say . . .
“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)
Paul’s attitude, which I believe was Gaius’ attitude, is the attitude that every growing Christian has. Their focus in life is on discovering their spiritual wealth in Christ and developing their spiritual health in Christ. Which brings us to the second thing for which John commended Gaius.
2. He was a giving Christian - vs. 5-8
Realizing that all that is God’s is theirs, the growing Christian’s attitude is that all that is theirs is God’s.
John commends Gaius’ for opening up his heart (and home) to Christian workers. Notice what we are told about his generosity.
A. He gave faithfully - v. 5a
John describes Gaius as being “faithful in what you are doing.” Gaius was a man who could be counted on.
B. He gave graciously - v. 5b
Even though some of the brothers to whom he demonstrated hospitality were complete strangers to Gaius, he was gracious to them. Though he did not know them personally, he did know personally the One they served, and that was enough for Gaius. To know that they represented Christ was sufficient reason to offer assistance.
C. He gave lovingly - v. 6a
It has been said that one can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Truly, if we are growing as a Christian and becoming more godly, then we will grow more and more to reflect the spirit of John 3:16 - “God so loved, that He gave.”
D. He gave honorably - v. 6b
Gaius gave in such a way as to give his best for the Lord. He didn’t give leftover, but the very best he had for the greater glory of God.
E. He gave supportively - v. 7
Gaius wanted to support the spread of the Gospel. He knew that because pagans to not recognize their need for the Gospel, it is up to those of us who know the Gospel to see to it that they have a chance to hear the truth. Therefore, we must give.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” - Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
F. He gave cooperatively - v. 8
Gaius knew that as his gifts were added to the gifts of others, much more could be done together than he could ever accomplish on his own.
In his book, “Who Switched The Price Tags,” author, Tony Compolo tells the following story:
“One year, my best friend and I devised what we thought was a brilliant and creative plan for mischief. We decided to break into the basement of the local five-and-dime store. We did not plan to rob the place (Sunday School boys would never do that sort of the thing); instead, we planned to do something that, as far as the owner of the store was concerned, would have been far worse. Our plan was to get into that five-and-dime store and change the price tags on things.
We imagined what it would be like the next morning when people came into the store and discovered that radios were selling for a quarter and bobby pins were priced at five dollars each. With diabolical glee, we wondered what it would be like in that store when nobody could figure out what the prices of things really should be.
Sometimes I think that Satan has played the same kind of trick on all of us. Sometimes I think that he has broken into our lives and changed the price tags on things. Too often, under the influences of his malicious ploy, we treat what deserves to be treated with loving care as though it were of little worth. On the other hand, we find ourselves tempted to make great sacrifices for that which, in the long run of life, has no lasting value and delivers very little gratification. Sometimes I think that one of the worst consequences of being fallen creatures is our failure to understand what really is important in life.”
Conclusion: Gaius was a man who understood what is really important in life. He had his priorities in order.
1. He sought to walk in the truth by growing in his recognition of his true riches in Christ.
2. He sought to witness to the truth by giving of his resources so others might have a relationship with Christ.
Therefore John commended him, and, I believe, upon his entering into eternity, so did his Lord.
