Somebody somewhere decided that teachers deserve apples. And they were right. They deserve more than that, but the gift of an apple is a beautiful instinct, a simple way of saying what you do matters, and so do you. A child handing their teacher a big Red Delicious is really handing them honor. Gratitude with skin on it.

Paul taps into that same instinct in Galatians 6:6, “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.” He’s not introducing a strange idea. He’s deepening a common human impulse. We already know that people who pour into us deserve something in return.

And that’s especially true for those who pour the Word of God into us because spiritual truth is the most valuable thing one person can give another. The ones who open God’s Word and faithfully feed your soul week after week in Sunday School and from the pulpit are doing something that has eternal weight. You owe them more than a nod and a handshake.

Notice that Paul says to share all good things with your pastors and teachers. That’s intentionally broad. He’s not just talking about money. He means encouragement, prayer, devotion, consistency, presence, access, and yes, financial support. The whole range of what you have to give.

And that word “share” implies mutuality. This isn’t charity toward your teacher. It’s participation in the same mission. The teacher pours out; the student pours back. You’re not tipping a waiter. You’re investing in kingdom work.

The apple for the teacher was always the right instinct. Lean into that and deepen it with those in your church.

Change begins in you!