For the longest time, I have been so scared of and stressed out about support raising for the mission field. I have always felt guilty about it. I mean “why don’t you work and save” and “so you just want to live off of other people’s money for the rest of you life” are the two questions that I get asked frequently. How can I actually change my mindset, so I can help change others views of it as well?
WELL, in Missions Track we are learning that support raising is needed and actually BIBLICAL. Yeah, you read that correctly! It is actually BIBLICAL!
CHECK OUT WHAT IT SAYS IN 1 CORINTHIANS 9:9-14!!!
9 “For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.“
WOW, that is such an encouragement! Paul is letting the church of Corinth know that those that go out to proclaim the Gospel are suppose to make their living from the Church.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!!!
You, THE SUPPORTER, get an incredible reward as well! We are reading a book called The GOD ASK by Steve Shadrach. In the book we are learning the beauty of support raising. He talks about in Revelation when every tongue, tribe, and nation will be standing before the Lamb on the throne!
He talks about how as missionaries, we’ll be surround by those we help lead back to the Lord, as well as being surrounded by those who help us accomplish the great commission!
“A STRAND OF THREE NOT EASILY BROKEN”
We all have heard this verse talked about in some area. The author paints a beautiful picture of the strand being made up of GOD, US, and OUR SUPPORTERS.
Some are called to GIVE and SEND, while others are called to GO.
Jenna and I are starting to embrace that fact that support raising is not only necessary for our path, but also biblical. That gives us strength and faith that God will provide!
Will you pray about helping complete our strand? The nations are waiting! We’re ready to go!
