As you start off in your pursuit of missionary or church planting work, you may feel “uncomfortable” asking people for financial support. Or, to put it more colloquially, asking people for their “money.” This is understandable for someone who is “new” to this method of receiving compensation; however, it is a perspective you must subdue and conquer. Why? Because God has shown us, through history, that His preferred method of supporting work to His created people (both believers and unbelievers) is with funds from His people, and even from his non-human creation.
How did God build the Tabernacle in the desert?: with money and wealth that came from Egypt, those who once held Israel in captivity.
How did God help meet the needs of suffering believers in the New Testament?: with the gifts given by others.
How did Jesus and Peter pay their taxes to Caesar?: with money “donated” by a fish!
How did God feed Elijah and the widow?: with flour provided by the widow.
How did God feed Elijah?: with food “given” by His created raven.
All good things come from God. He tells us He doesn’t need our sacrifices because He owns all the cattle on a thousand hills; but, he still accepts our sacrifices when we give (what He already owns) with gratitude and humility.
You must understand: It is every believer’s responsibility to support the work of God, and it is your responsibility to convey the vision and the need, and to provide the opportunity for believers to give. I am not saying it is every believer’s responsibility to support the work He has called you to do. Not everyone will help you, and it is not necessarily a bad thing if they don’t help you, specifically. Your job is to find those who will sense God wanting them to support you.
But, don’t think what you need will only come from believers, or even from “good people.” God uses everything…even “ill-gotten gains” for His purposes. Micah 4:13
Pursuing financial support for short term mission trips, or church planting ventures, is a mixture of humility and boldness. You’re humbled that God is using you; you’re humbled to ask others for help; you’re also bold because God is using you; you’re bold because you know God has a plan, and He has chosen to use gifts from others to accomplish that plan, and it’s your responsibility to “mine” those gifts.
Don’t apologize for His calling, or His methods!
Gary Skrobot
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