August 17, 2009
Missions
Because my church is a relatively new congregation the mission’s ministry is in its formative years. Other than thinking in terms of three different outreach directions - local, national and international – we haven’t settled on what or who to support. In the past I think the trend in churches has been to support people on the mission field, with a few projects thrown in here and there. However I’m wondering if supporting projects rather than missionaries might be closer to New Testament teaching. The disciples were sent out with no money in their purse or extra provisions and even Paul was not financed by the church, but supported himself as a tentmaker. I think I personally like the idea of supporting projects because they are measurable. Similar to the situation in the parable of the talents, most of us want to see evidence of our investment in the kingdom.
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Gail;
-----Although Paul made the point clear that he did not desire to burden with his living those to whom he carried the Word, he made it also clear that those who labored in spreading and teaching the Word needed support. “For it is written in the law of Moses, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.’ Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits?” (I Cor 9:9-11). “Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.” (Gal 6:6). “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’” (I Tim 5:17-18). Many people make a career out of the gospel, and that bothers me. But when someone gives up his responsibility to provide for his own needs to serve others the Word, I don’t equate it with a career. When you introduce the example of the disciples Jesus sent out being instructed to take nothing with them to what Paul says about the servants need for support, I agree with you. In fact, one then notices that the ox eats the grain he treads, and it is the one taught who shares with the teacher. The proper source of support is from those who are served the Word. When they are so impoverished that there is little or nothing to share, then I see more propriety in the servant’s support coming from back home, amongst even more generosity to overcome the impoverishment in which he serves.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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