Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 3:6; Galatians 1:10; James 2:1
Wed, 2 November 2022

A Patron and Client Relationship

Observation:

What does Scripture teach about favour and favouritism (Gal 1:10; Jas 2:1)?

Deeper Reflection
ONE KEY REASON WHY CERTAIN THESSALONIAN BELIEVERS were not working but “walking in idleness” (v.6) has to do with “the institution of patronage that was pervasive in the ancient world”5. It was like this: “Clients depended on their rich patrons, receiving benefits from them such as food, money and representation, while the patrons enjoyed the public honour that accrued to their account for having so many clients. In this relationship, the patron was under social obligation to continue the economic and social support of his or her clients. To cut a client off would place the patron in a relationship of enmity with the client.”6 This patron-client relationship was one of mutual benefit.Paul is telling the Thessalonian believers who were clients not to depend on their patrons (believers or unbelievers) for their support, and Christian patrons not to be obliged to continue supporting those in the church who simply did not want to change their status as client and work.7 However, Paul encouraged the Christian patrons to continue as benefactors to those who were in true need (2 Thess 3:13).8We may find ourselves in a kind of “patron-client” relationship when we seek to find favour with people who are well-to-do, well-known, influential and powerful, for personal benefits. Or we may seek association with such people to make ourselves feel and look important and significant. Or we may show favour to certain people for self-serving reasons. But Scripture teaches us to seek no favour from man (Gal 1:10) and to show no favouritism (Jas 2:1).
5 Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Apollos, 2002), 342 6 Gene L. Green, 342 7 Gene L. Green, 342 8 Gene L. Green, 342
Application:

What changes do I need to make in my life with regards to seeking or showing favour and favouritism?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: To grow and walk in righteousness and justice
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 7:13-18, 25-27; 11:29-36
Sat, 2 December 2023

The Triumph

Observation:

What characterises the triumph of God’s people in tribulations under tyrants?

Deeper Reflection
God’s people living under tyrants and suffering tribulations under them can triumph – whether we are delivered from or destroyed in tribulation. The triumph rests on a threefold confidence.We know the conclusion of evil. It is repeated in manifold ways in Daniel that evil that comes through inhuman kings – no matter how great and how long – will definitely come to an end: “he will be broken” (Dan 8:25), “he will be found no more” (Dan 11:19), “yet he will come to his end” (Dan 11:45) and “all these events will be completed” (Dan 12:7).We know God’s calling for us: To be a suffering people – to be captured, plundered, burned or killed (Dan 11:33). But in our suffering, we can be strong as “people who know their God” (Dan 11:32), knowing that God is purging and purifying us to become a sanctified (Dan 11:35; 12:10) and shining people who “shine brightly” with heavenly brightness in the hostile world (Dan 12:3). And we will be a steadfast people who “keep waiting and attain to the 1,335 days” (Dan 12:12) – until we become a sovereign people who “receive and possess the kingdom forever” from “the Ancient of Days” (vv.13-14, 18, 27).We know who is in control. The tribulations under the tyrants in Daniel 7 to 12 are all subject to and subsumed under “that which is decreed will be done” (Dan 11:36; 9:26, 27) “at the appointed time” (Dan 11:27, 29, 35).We conclude Daniel with this theological-discipleship summary statement: We can triumph in tribulations under tyrants when we trust with tenacity in the One who is on the throne.
Application:

How can I triumph in tribulations?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To grow in the faith and perseverance of overcomers in Christ
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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