The Biblical Basis for Missionary Support
Under the old covenant system of Judaism, the tribe of Levi was the only Israelite tribe not to receive a land inheritance. This enabled them to invest the bulk of their time and energies in spiritual service to God and to God’s people (Josh. 13:7–19:48). The tithing system was designed so they would be supported in their work by the rest of the Israelites (Num. 18:20-32; Neh. 10:30-39).1 Although Jesus was neither a priest nor a Levite (Heb. 7:13-14), he and his disciples were supported in their ministry (Luke 8:3). As he sent out his missionary recruits, he affirmed, “the laborer is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7b; cf. Matt. 10:10b).
This divine principle continued in the Christian system, as seen in the ministry and teachings of the apostle Paul. As noted in Part 1, Paul received wages from multiple congregations who supported him in his missionary endeavors (2 Cor. 11:7-9; Phil. 2:25-30; 4:10-20). He taught that ministers of the gospel have the God-given right to be financially supported in their work (1 Cor. 9:4-14). He further affirmed that teachers of the word should be supported by those who are taught (Gal. 6:6), and those who labor in teaching God’s word are worthy of their pay (1 Tim. 5:17-18). See also Rom. 12:4-8; 15:24; 1 Tim. 6:17-19.
Responsibilities of Churches
The only missionary-sending agency in the New Testament is the local church (Acts 11:22; 13:1-3; 15:40). Congregational responsibilities include the following:
· Choose well-qualified personnel (1 Cor. 16:3-4; 2 Cor. 8:18-22; cf. Acts 6:3-7; 16:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:1-13).
· Send out workers (Acts 11:22; 13:1-4; 14:26; 15:40; 1 Cor. 16:6; 3 John 5-8).
· Ensure workers and their families are adequately supported (Phil. 4:14-19; 1 Cor. 9:3-14; cf. 1 Tim. 5:8).
· Pray for the missionaries and their work (Acts 13:3; Rom. 15:30; 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1).
· Provide emotional support (Acts 28:15; Rom. 1:10-12; 15:32; Heb. 3:13).
· Evaluate the work of the missionaries (Acts 14:27; 15:4; 21:19; 1 Thess. 5:21).
· Withhold support from unworthy persons (Rom. 16:17; 2 John 10-11).
Responsibilities of Missionaries
While local congregations must be faithful in fulfilling divine expectations, individual missionaries also have responsibilities.
· Take initiative (Acts 8:4-5; 11:19-21; 15:36, 39-41; 18:21; 1 Cor. 16:15-17; 2 Cor. 8:16-17).
· Be open to the direction of mature Christians (Acts 11:25-26; 13:1; 19:22; 1 Thess. 3:2).
· Be willing to actively seek support from congregations (Rom. 15:24; 1 Cor. 16:6; 2 Cor. 1:15-16).
· Be willing to accept support when offered (Acts 24:23; Phil. 4:15-18; 2 Cor. 11:8-9).
· When necessary, be willing to be self-supporting (Acts 18:3; 20:34-35; 1 Thess. 2:9).
· Be conscientious about the use of time and funds (cf. 2 Cor. 8:20-21; Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Thess. 2:8-10).
· Be answerable to brethren and report to them about the work (Acts 14:27; 15:4; 21:19).
Church cooperation in doing the Lord’s work
There are at least three areas of the Lord’s work where autonomous churches in the New Testament cooperated in collaborative efforts. First, cooperation in benevolence (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1–9:15). Second, cooperation in evangelism (2 Cor. 11:8-9; Phil. 4:15-16; Rom. 15:24).2 Third, cooperation in edification (Acts 11:20-26; 14:21-22 [cf. 13:1-3]; 15:22-31, 36, 40; Col. 4:16).
There are numerous examples in the New Testament of sending congregations:
· The Jerusalem church sent Peter and John to Samaria (Acts 8:14).
· The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:22).
· The Antioch church sent Barnabas and Saul to Judea (Acts 11:30).
· The Antioch church sent Barnabas and Saul to Cyprus and Southern Galatia (Acts 13:1-4; 14:26).
· The Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem (Acts 15:2-3).
· The Jerusalem church sent Judas Barsabas and Silas to Antioch (Acts 15:25-33).
· The Antioch church sent Paul and Silas to the Mediterranean world (Acts 15:40).
· The Philippi church sent Epaphroditus to Rome (Phil. 2:25-30; 4:18).
· The Roman Christians were encouraged to send missionaries (Rom. 10:14-15; cf. 15:24).
· The Corinth church was encouraged to send Paul (1 Cor. 16:6).
There are numerous examples in the New Testament of contributing congregations:
· The Macedonian churches (consisting of at least the brethren in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) supported Paul and his work in Corinth (2 Cor. 11:7-9).
· The Philippi church supported Paul and his work in Thessalonica and Rome (Phil. 2:25-30; 4:14-19).
· The Corinth congregation was to assist Paul on his way to Judea (1 Cor. 16:3-6; 2 Cor. 1:16).
· The saints at Rome were to assist Paul on his way to Spain (Rom. 15:24; cf. 10:12-15).
Conclusion
Adequately supporting missionaries and their families is not optional for churches committed to faithfully heeding the divine call to make disciples of all nations until the end of the age (Matt. 28:18-20). Professing Christians are either zealous goers, zealous senders, or disobedient.3
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 See also Ex. 1:1-6; Lev. 27:30-34; Num. 1:47-53; 26:62; Deut. 10:9; 14:22-29; 18:1-8; 26:12; 2 Chron. 31:5-6; Neh. 13:5; Malachi 1:1; 3:10.
2 Paul’s letter to the Romans is addressed to all the “saints” (hagioi) in Rome rather than the “church” (ekklēsia) collectively (1:7), and since greetings are sent to what appears to be multiple house churches (16:5, 14, 15), his request to be assisted in his missionary work by “you” (plural) is directed to all these congregations (15:24).
3 John Piper and Tom Steller, “Driving Convictions Behind Foreign Missions,” desiringGod (1 Jan. 1996), <Link>.
Image credit: Adapted from https://it.aleteia.org/2018/06/07/3-passi-libro-giobbe-per-pregare/
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