God's Pattern of Provision
Understanding the biblical precedent for support raising
By
Roger Randall
Roger Randall co-founded the Worldwide Student Network, and was director of International University Resources for Campus Crusade for Christ.
So, you're going to have to raise support? Maybe you've quaked at the very thought or really wondered if you can do it. Well, you're not the first one to wonder that.
Many have gone into the support-raising adventure with fear and trembling, and most have found great success in support raising. You can, too. A good way to start is by understanding the biblical rationale behind the practice. Once you understand that, you'll be better able to raise support with boldness and confidence.
The First Financial Plan
Nearly 3,300 years ago, God designed a financial plan that would provide salaries and benefits to His workers. In the book of Numbers, God called the Levites to be His first "professional" ministers, instructing them to rely on Him for their financial stability. There were plenty of qualified, motivated laymen (such as Moses, Joshua, and Caleb) to work on the tabernacle, but God was looking for more than part-time help. He wanted to meet the demanding spiritual needs of the nation, needs that couldn't be met by even the most dedicated workers in their spare time alone.
While the nation of Israel worked the land and faced the financial uncertainties brought on by drought, disease, and famine, the Lord promised to provide for the Levites through the tithes and offerings of their countrymen. The people of God were to support the full-time ministers of God.
A Covenant of Interdependence
After Christ came, God established a new covenant whereby any believer (not just those in the family of Levi) could serve Him in full-time ministry. Jesus, who was a carpenter, could have funded His ministry by building furniture or repairing carts and tables. But as far as we know, He didn't. As Jesus went out ministering, He relied on people such as Mary, Martha, and Lazarus who helped "...support him out of their own means" (Luke 8:3). Jesus had financial supporters.
When Christ commissioned His followers, He gave them the spiritual authority to minister and told them to trust Him for their physical provisions (Matt. 10:9,10). Jesus gave specific directions to His disciples which forced them to depend on others for their needs. They were to accept gifts from others, as Jesus said, "...eating and drinking whatever they give you; for the worker deserves his wages..." (Luke 10:4-7). A laborer in God's Kingdom is truly worthy of being paid for his service. The Early Church workers lived on a system of support similar to that which God established for the Levites.
The apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 9:14, "In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." He explains that God set up a system of financial support for His workers. He also writes that even though he had the right to be supported by the Corinthians, he chose to make tents. This was an exception, however, to Paul's usual method of ministry.
Paul wanted to make sure the Corinthians to whom he preached had no reason to question his motives. He chose to live on a smaller salary and take less from the Corinthians in order to validate his character, his faith, and his ministry. With the Corinthian church, Paul may have supplemented his income by sewing canvas, but he did rely on gifts from supporters. Paul willingly received financial support from other Christians and churches, and he asked for support. In Romans, he wrote, "When I go to Spain ...I hope...to have you assist me on my journey" (Rom. 15:24 ). The original Greek in this verse confirms that Paul was requesting money.
John also referred to God's people supporting their own. "It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth" (III John 7,8).
Living by Faith Today
Raising support doesn't make you holier than others. There's nothing you can do or fail to do that will make you more spiritual or alter your eternal position in Christ (Eph. 1:3-14, Rom. 6:5-9).
Many outstanding denominations and mission groups offer salaries to their missionaries, and the Lord is honoring their minis-tries. All Christians need to live by faith (II Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:6) regardless of how they receive their paychecks.
The bottom line is that you need to be willing to do whatever the Lord asks you to do, or you won't be qualified for any missionary career (salaried or supported).
Most people find themselves a little uneasy as they approach the challenge of support raising. It seems to go against our American culture to depend on others - especially for finances. As Christians, we need to heed the strong scriptural warnings about conforming to our culture's values. We must remember that the Bible strongly states that accepting support gifts is part of God's economy.
In this sense, raising support is a matter of obedience to God's work and calling, not of following your feelings. If God calls you to a supported ministry position, then He will provide everything you need to fulfill your ministry, including emotional strength and perseverance (Phil. 4:19 ; I Thess. 5:24 ).
For further study and consideration, see Numbers 1:45 -54; Numbers 18; Deuteronomy 18:1-6; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 16:25 ; Luke 6:38 ; Luke 8:1-3; I Corinthians 9; John 15:16 .