What is Best for the Gospel?

Today, one of my readings came from Matthew 19. Wow, lots of stuff to focus on in this chapter, but doing so would make this a really long post. :) Therefore I will skim some sections and concentrate more on others.

The Pharisees were testing Jesus on the whole divorce thing. We learn that it was because of our hardness of heart that divorce was allowed in the first place. People should not divorce, it goes against the plan of God. Those who divorce and remarry are committing adultery. I know in today's day and age, that's not a popular thing to hear, but it comes straight from the word of God. So perhaps you think to yourself...but what if my hubbie beats me? Well...then what your hubbie has done is "left you". This doesn't leave you free to remarry, but it does leave you free to leave him. 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

12To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?

We are not given reasons other than a non-believing spouse leaving and for marital unfaithfulness as being why we can or should divorce. Divorce is simply not what God wants forus. He created us to be together.

The passage that I really wanted to get to was this one

10The disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it."

I find it wonderful that some people, for the sake of the gospel, chose not to get married. As a single person you have so much more freedom in your actions. You don't have to worry about caring for family, you can devote your spare time to things as missions and ministry. You often have more disposable income. Not all people HAVE to marry. Some don't because, well, they just aren't interested, others don't because society/life/circumstances have just made it that way, but others choose not to. These folks should be respected as well. Pastors shouldn't HAVE to get married. Missionaries shouldn't HAVE to be married. So often we think they aught to, but Paul makes it clear that sometimes, for the sake of the gospel, a better thing not to. So if people are single and are serving the Lord faithfully, we should encouarge them to continue to do so.