Mark 9:38-40

The man casting out devils in Christ's name (Luke 9:49). The apostles report that a private Christian, who had not been called to the apostolic office ('he followeth not with us,' Lk), and had received no definite commission from Christ to work miracles, as the apostles had (Mark 3:15), was nevertheless casting out devils in Christ's name. Jealous for the privileges of their newly acquired office, they forbade him, but Christ says that they ought to have welcomed his help. Cp. the history of Eldad and Medad (Numbers 11:26), where Moses rebukes Joshua for the same jealous attitude. The lesson is that the spiritual gifts of the laity ought to be fully developed and utilised for the good of the Church, and that the clergy ought to welcome and not be jealous of their help.