Missionary Support . . . a view from God's Word: Agree or Disagree?

This is not my normal post, but as I embark on a summer of bi-vocational work, fundraising for our missionary support and our teen retreat in July, I thought it might be nice to look at the biblical view of supporting missionaries . . . . 1) Missionaries should have a team of people who want to support them (Luke 8:1-4). Jesus was (among other things, of course) a missionary. He did not need anyone's financial support. Anyone who can turn water into wine and feed thousands of people from a few loaves and fishes does not need support. Yet Jesus had a group of people who traveled with Him, consisting of (1) the 12 apostles (and sometimes the apostles’ wives - 1 Corinthians 9:5), (2) some women He healed, and (3) some wealthy women. Jesus andthe apostles received gifts from people contributing to their support out of their private means (Luke 8:3) (2) Missionaries should be supported by the people they minister to (Luke 10:1-7). (See also 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 9:9-12; and Galatians 6:6.) The New Testament is very clear on this, repeating the phrase of the Mosaic Law, you shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing (Deuteronomy 25:4). Jesus said, the laborer is worthy of his wages (Luke 10:7). Paul emphasized this to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:18). There is a sense in which this is more a principle of paying than giving, but it is definitely a basic part of missionary support. It's not the only source, of course, since many recipients of missionary ministry are not capable of much support. Nevertheless, they should share some of what they have with the missionaries. (3) Missionaries should be supported by sources other than just those they minister to (Acts 18:3, 5). (See also 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and Philippians 4:16.) Missionaries should not be a financial burden to those they disciple. If they depend on the people they minister to for support, they will likely be, or be seen as, a burden. Hence many missionaries are continually at odds with their local boards or committees over fund raising. Additional funding might come from a job or other supporters. Paul utilized both, although Jesus does not seem to have had a secular job after His ministry began. In any case, the missionaries were not dependent on the support of their disciples. (4) Missionaries should remind people to support missionaries (1 Corinthians 9:11-14). Paul reminded the Corinthians, If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you? (1 Corinthians 9:11). This is not to say the missionaries should demand support or somehow pressure people to give to them (v. 12). On the contrary, the missionary should go without the support of anyone who doesn’t desire to give to his ministry. Reminding people of the ministry of giving is part of the missionaries’ job of discipleship. (5) Missionaries should be supported by people wishing to participate in their ministry (Philippians 1:5, 7; 4:15-18; 3 John 7-8). In Philippians Paul thanked them for their abundant gifts which they sent him more than once, while he was in Thessalonica (the town he went to after Philippi--Philippians 4:16). (* copied from www.relationalconcepts.org)