What Does the Bible Say About Supporting Missionaries Financially?

Overview of Biblical Support for Missionary Funding

The Bible is filled with stories about people who have gone on missionary journeys to spread the Gospel. Though these individuals often left home with nothing more than a few provisions from their families and churches, they relied on the generosity of others to finance their travels and ministry. So, what does the Bible say about supporting missionaries financially?

Examining Jesus’ Teachings on Supporting Missionaries Financially

In the New Testament, Jesus often spoke of the importance of giving generously to those in need. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches that we should go beyond providing for our own needs and reach out to help others (Luke 10:30-37). He also taught that when we give to the poor, we are giving to Him (Matthew 25:40). These teachings suggest that Jesus was in favor of giving to support missionaries.

The Role of the Church in Financing Missionary Work

The early Church recognized the importance of supporting missionaries financially. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, telling them to make generous contributions to support his mission (Philippians 4:10-18). In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul encourages the church to give freely and joyfully to help the poor and to support the work of evangelism. Paul even instructs the church in Corinth to take up a collection to send to Jerusalem to aid the impoverished believers there (2 Corinthians 8-9). This shows us that the early Church was actively involved in helping to finance missionary work.

Exploring the Early Church’s Financial Support for Missionaries

How did the early church support missionaries financially? The New Testament gives us some clues. For example, we know that the church in Antioch provided financial support for Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3). We also know that the early church collected money to help the needy, both within their communities and in distant places (Romans 15:25-27; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4). We can assume that much of this money was used to support missionaries as they went out to preach the gospel.

Examples of Early Church Giving to Missionaries

The early Church gave to missionaries in a variety of ways. For example, when Paul traveled to Athens, he was accompanied by a group of believers who helped him preach the gospel and provide for his needs (Acts 17:1-15). Similarly, when Paul visited the church in Macedonia, he was given food and lodging by the believers there (2 Corinthians 11:7-9). In addition, the church in Jerusalem sent Silas and Timothy to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their mission (Acts 15:22-35). All of these examples demonstrate the early Church’s commitment to supporting missionaries financially.

How Should Christians Give to Support Missionaries?

Giving to support missionaries is an important part of Christian discipleship. However, it is important to remember that we are responsible for managing our finances wisely. Here are a few principles to keep in mind when giving to support missionaries.

Principles for Giving to Support Missionaries

First, we should give generously. The Bible tells us to give “cheerfully” (2 Corinthians 9:7) and “not reluctantly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7). We should not be stingy with our giving, but rather should seek to give generously. Second, we should give sacrificially. The Bible instructs us to “do good and to share what [we] have” (Hebrews 13:16). We should strive to give sacrificially, not just out of our abundance, but also out of our need. Finally, we should give proportionally. The Bible tells us to “give according to what [we] have” (2 Corinthians 8:12). We should strive to give a percentage of our income that is proportional to our ability.

Examples of Giving to Support Missionaries

There are many ways to give to support missionaries. We can give directly to missionaries or to organizations that support missionary work. We can also give to churches and other charitable organizations that provide funds for missionary work. Additionally, we can give to organizations that provide training and resources for missionaries. Finally, we can volunteer our time and talents to support missionaries in our local community.

Balancing Our Financial Obligations to Support Missionaries with Other Needs

As Christians, we have a responsibility to use our resources to support God’s kingdom. At the same time, we must also recognize that there are other needs in our lives that require attention. How can we balance our financial obligations to support missionaries with other needs?

Prioritizing our Giving

First, we should prioritize our giving. We should strive to give first to those needs that are most closely aligned with our faith. This might include giving to support missionaries, to the poor, and to the church. We should also consider giving to other causes that are important to us, such as education or environmental stewardship. Once we have prioritized our giving, we can then determine how much of our budget we can allocate to each cause.

Ways to Give More Efficiently

Second, we should strive to give more efficiently. There are many ways to do this, including setting up automatic transfers, using online giving platforms, and taking advantage of employer matching programs. By giving more efficiently, we can ensure that our resources are being used to maximum effect.

Conclusion

Supporting missionaries financially is an important part of Christian discipleship. The Bible teaches us to give generously, sacrificially, and proportionally. We should strive to prioritize our giving and to give more efficiently. By doing so, we can ensure that our resources are used to support God’s kingdom and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.