Beware of supporting false causes - 2 John

Tis the Christmas season.   There are bell ringers, church coffers and business proposals to discern between.   This group wants this and that group wants this, too.  Then there is family who really do need. How do you decide who you help and who you support when there are so many valuable "causes" out there to pick from.  In 2 John the writer was worried about the same thing.   In John's day it was the traveling preacher who stopped by, house-to-house, and would receive support from the "church" body while delivering his message about the "gospel" on the way.   These "traveling" evangelist actually made their living moving from place-to-place delivering their message.   Thus John's warning:  There are those who are traveling into your homes (Oh, Church ... the "lady" in 2 John) who are not worthy of your support!!  John qualifies who they should give to (those who "abide" in the teaching of Christ) and he tells them what to do with those who don't abide ... don't support them and don't even give them a greeting (which might have meant a small monetary support).  The "Gnostics" often "feed" off the church that way.  Gnostics were those who believed you could reach a "special" relationship with God simply by "knowledge" ... which the traveling teachers would provide for a small fee and provisions.   John warned the church to discern who to give support to by the litmus test of "abiding in God's Word."   So, the next time you are asked to give to anything make sure they one asking is also the one obeying His Word.   And then give, give, give!!!