Missionary support

Philippians 4:10-23

I saw an advertisement for a book about missions. The title, which I can’t remember exactly asked whether they were missionaries, or machineries. Having grown up on the Navajo reservation, and served as a missionary, I understand the authors point. There are truly dedicated missionaries. and there are some who use the name as a way to enrich themselves. We have seen missionaries claim churches as their works that they had never even visited. Others have raised money for buildings that another church had already paid for, and installed. One had twenty three automatic washers in his garage that churches had given them. Another has become rich off the support of the churches.

A missionary contacted our church, complaining that gas was so expensive on his field and that they were paying by the liter. It was almost funny, as it cost more at many of the trading posts than it was costing him. One missionary complained that the churches bought him a new car without letting him pick the one he wanted. Another complained of having to live in a bus. Turned out the bus was a very nice RV, and they only lived in for a couple of months. These are only a few examples, among one group, on one field. Other groups have been even worse.

These missionaries love the last part of James 4:2, “yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” They quote it regularly as the reason for their constant asking. When they don’t receive it from God, they ask the churches. They never seem to read verse 3, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Young missionaries find it difficult to raise support, and partly because of this kind of behavior by missionaries. After all, God promised to supply our needs, and the constant demands imply he isn’t keeping his word. Rather than strengthening faith, this approach weakens it. As we look at Paul’s example, we find a different attitude.

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.” (Philippians 4:10-14)

Paul appreciated the efforts of the church to help him, recognizing that many times they had been unable to do so. He had often gone without and had learned to trust God with it because he had learned that God used his problems to reach others according to Philippians 1:12. “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” People find it difficult to identify with someone who doesn’t have similar problems. Paul’s lack could enable him to be identified with by the people God had chosen, according to James 2:5. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him??

Paul had learned to use whatever God gave him, trusting God to make it work. After all God has promised to supply our needs. If this is what he has supplied, it must be what we needed at this time. Nevertheless, it is good that the church at Philippi had met some of those needs. God does use people to meet the need, but we ought not depend on them. Sometimes we fall into the trap of trusting the churches, rather than trusting God.

The church at Philippi was the first church to regularly support Paul, and they had begun supporting him immediately when he left for Thessalonica. Up to that time Paul had supported himself, and considered it robbing other churches when he required those other churches to support him. II Corinthians 11:8 says, “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.” With that attitude, Paul is not going to abuse the willingness of the church to give. He is not asking for more, but is working so that they will have fruit for their giving. They will be blessed for their willingness, but Paul will be accountable to God for how he has used it.

“Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:15-19)

Paul concludes by sharing greetings from other Christians.

“Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Philippians 4:20-24)