A Biblical Look at Missionary Support
One of the most famous aspects of Paul’s ministry is that he supported himself by tentmaking, refusing the financial support of the people he served. He explains this in 1 Corinthians 9:1-18, in which he summarizes,
“What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.”
This leads many Christians to wonder why so many pastors and missionaries today draw their salary from tithes and donations.
- Is fundraising for missions biblical?
- Should pastors and missionaries work secular jobs instead of receiving support?
- Are modern missionaries following an unbiblical model?
Some Christians are firmly opposed to the idea of full-time ministry. They say it is unbiblical, based on their understanding of Paul’s example. The problem is, Paul didn’t rely solely on tentmaking for his support.
How were Paul’s Missionary Journeys Funded?
We simply need to look at the only time Paul’s tentmaking is explicitly mentioned: Acts 18. The first 4 verses of the chapter explain that when Paul first arrived in Corinth, he worked as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla while evangelizing on the Sabbath day at the local synagogue. But verse 5 tells us,
“When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to preaching the word and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.”
Somehow, Silas and Timothy’s arrival freed Paul up for full-time ministry. It’s unclear exactly how.
- Perhaps Silas and Timothy began working and made enough to feed the three of them?
- Perhaps they brought a gift from the Macedonian church that provided for Paul’s physical needs?
- Or some other means I’m not creative enough to come up with.
The way Paul stuck to his commitment not to ask the Corinthians for income while serving them was not exclusively, or even primarily, through tentmaking, but also (and perhaps primarily) through receiving material support from those outside the Corinthian community. This is how most missionaries are funded today. Not from the communities they are serving, but from the communities they come from (and others). They are, in fact, following Paul’s example in this.
The Philippian Church Supported Paul
Even if, in this specific instance in Acts 18, Paul did not receive material support from the Macedonian church, we do know that the Macedonian church did at times support Paul. Paul’s letter to the Philippians (which is part of Macedonia) is in part a response to a gift they gave him. Paul starts the letter by thanking God for their “partnership in the Gospel” (Phil. 1:5, 7). The gift he is responding to is referenced in 2:25 & 4:10. In 4:15-20, Paul describes the continuous support he received from the Philippians and that they were the first church to do so.
But they weren’t the last! Or at least Paul hoped they wouldn’t be.
Romans Was a Missionary Support Letter!
Paul explains in Romans 15:23-24 that the goal of his visit to Rome is to have them assist him in his mission to Spain. Part of the reason Romans is the most thorough explanation of Paul’s gospel is to make sure this potential partner church understood the message they’d be enabling. His hope to spend some time with them for mutual encouragement (1:11-12, 15:24) resonates with the missionary’s experience of visiting a beloved partner church.
- Missionaries are often supported by believers from their sending communities
- Churches partner financially in gospel work
- Ministry becomes a shared mission rather than an individual effort
Was Tentmaking Paul’s Normal Strategy?
Now, Paul’s tentmaking for provision may have been his norm. Besides his time in Corinth, he references laboring for provision in both his letters to the Thessalonians and in his final speech to the Ephesian elders (see below scripture references).
While in Macedonia, it appears he and his team were provided for by Lydia. It appears she needed to insist on it (Acts 16:15). Aside from these instances, we don’t have explicit mention of how Paul was funded. Since working for his own food is the most mentioned, maybe it was his norm. Or maybe it was a case-by-case basis. We do know that tentmaking wasn’t his exclusive means of provision while on the mission field; he received support from churches and, in at least one instance, sought it out proactively.
Third, whatever Paul’s example may be, Jesus’ ministry was full-time and fundraised.
Jesus Ministry Was Full-Time
We have no record of Jesus practicing carpentry after his baptism; it seems He was so busy He struggled to find time to sleep & pray.
We do know:
- He was funded by others (women in particular, Luke 8:1-3)
- Jesus had a treasurer (albeit a treacherous one – John 12:6)
- When He sent out the 72 disciples, they freely received hospitality (Luke 10:1-8)
- Jesus taught that “the worker is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10:7)
Funding full-time ministers is in keeping with the example and teaching of Jesus.
Paul Himself Taught Preachers Should be Paid
Paul starts that passage in 1 Corinthians 9 by explaining that he has a divine right to earn his living by preaching the Good News. In verse 14, he goes so far as to say,
“The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.”
In verses 5-6, Paul implies that all the other apostles (except Barnabas) make their living from their ministry. Paul’s point in this passage is that drawing income for ministry is the norm, and that his refusal to do so among the Corinthians was an exception to that norm, made intentionally as an evangelistic & missionary strategy.
Missionary Fundraising: It’s Biblical
I hope this dispels any concerns global workers and their senders have that they are following an “unbiblical model.” I hope the missionary is encouraged to know they are following Paul’s example in some cases (and that of the other Apostles and our Messiah).
I hope those financially partnering with missionaries are encouraged to know they are following the example of Lydia, the Macedonian church, and (potentially) the Roman church (as well as the women of Luke 8:3). Let us also remember to pray for and, when possible, provide for those servants of the Good News that are “tentmakers” not by choice but by necessity, deprived of their divine right, which is the case of many if not most pastors throughout the Global Church (including the USA).
*All Scripture quotes are CSB.
Discussion:
Moved by this article? Share your thoughts on it with this link to your own social media, or leave a comment on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.