Women of Today (Luke 8:1-3 ESV)

 

Here we have some women again.  

"Women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities:  Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means" (vs 2 & 3).

I read into this that these women were so grateful and thankful that they'd follow Jesus (& the disciples) wherever they went.  They provided for them, not with what donations people along the way had given but 

"out of their own means" (emphasis mine).

Perhaps they were something like the bustling woman of Proverbs 31 who earned out of her own right.  Or, they could've been given from their husband's earnings, which he generously shared with them.

This is not stated in the passage.  The willingness to spend out of their own pockets to provide for Jesus and His disciples would not have been a simple task.

Men with bigger appetites - 12 of them, plus Jesus - would cost a small fortune.  They'd be extra hungry due to their travels by shank's pony.  On top of that, other necessities, although Jesus seemed to not need much and travelled light.  But add in these ladies and the "many others" in the group, just keeping all 'in food' would indeed cost a pretty penny.

But these women were still willing to give to the cause of

 "proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God"

 to the peoples of the cities and villages they trekked to.  So not only did they give monetary means, they gave their own strength and time to the furthering of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God - storing up treasure in Heaven, for Jesus.

What wonderful examples these women of worth were for us women of today.  May we be found as worthy and willing for Jesus too!  We may not 'go out on the road,' so to speak, but we can provide for those who do in whatever way we can.

John Wesley once put it,

"Do all the good you can,

by all the means you can,

in all the ways you can,

in all the places you can,

at all the times you can,

to all the people you can,

as long as ever you can".

Lord Jesus, may we women of today and many others be touched by the example of the worthy women of Your days on earth.  Out of hearts of gratitude, thanksgiving and love for all you had done for them, gave of their means, time and effort to help spread Your good news.  May we too, be so motivated and cheerfully give what we can, where, and when we can, as long as ever we can.  In Your precious name we ask and give our heartfelt thanks.  Amen.

                                                        ~ ERC  August 2025 ~

Based on Luke 8:1-3 ESV.

Sing, Grateful, along with Elevation.