God, Money, and Faith

When Jesus sent out His disciples into the harvest, He told them not to bring any supplies.  In doing so, He was teaching them to walk by faith in God.  Even as God provided for the children of Israel in the wilderness and the birds of the air, He would supply their every need.  Before Jesus went to the cross Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 22:35-36:  "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." ³⁶ Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."  There is nothing wrong with wisely preparing as we follow Christ on our journey wherever He leads.  Often the securing of financial pledges or support is a means of missionaries and ministries discerning the legitimacy of a call upon a  prospective missionary before leaving for a field.  But let me say this:  fundraising in the modern sense carries with it the risk of walking by sight and not by faith.  People love the testimony of George Mueller's faith demonstrated through prayer and wisdom concerning money.  There aren't many George Muellers today because God isn't provided the opportunity to come through at the last moment.  Most want to have the support up, accounts looking healthy, and a great exchange rate forecast before they will take the first step of faith.  What sort of faith is that?

One of the sticking points for many people when it comes to missions is, "But who is going to pay for this?  How can we afford it?"  One missionary support ministry I met with required for any missionaries who sought to enter a mission field secure 80% of their monthly financial support before they were permitted to enter the field.  Money can become for people today (missionaries or not) a focal point instead of the God who has promised to provide.  Everyone in the early church contributed to the financial strength of the church, some selling everything they had.  They weren't caught up in mutual funds and Roth IRAs.  Some like Paul, who laboured long in a vast mission field, worked with his own hands to support himself.  Collections were received from house churches on a weekly basis to bless and help other churches.  Perhaps because we live in a world of insurance, schools, visas, airplane tickets, and retirement funds, money concerns seem to have risen in importance.  I like the picture of Peter being directed by Jesus to catch a fish to pay the temple tax in Matthew 17:27.  Jesus said, "After you throw in the hook and catch the fish, it will have a coin in its mouth.  Take the coin and pay the tax, lest we offend them."  Jesus didn't have the money on hand for the temple tax, but He miraculously provided it.  He will do the same for us if we will seek, trust, and obey Him no matter where we find ourselves.

I struggle with the concept of "fundraising."  Perhaps that sounds ironic, coming from a missionary pastor who receives money each month by God's grace and the generosity of churches, family, and friends.  Just the idea makes me uncomfortable.  Before I left for the field in Australia, before I knew where or when I would be going, I was connected with Shepherd's Staff Mission Facilitators.  We let people know there was a need through our church with a flier, and if God moved them to give they could support our ministry through sending money to Shepherd's Staff, who provided accountability and would send the money once a month when we were in the field.  Truth be told, I don't fundraise - though I am not against it.  When I was youth pastor, we used to raise money for kids to go to camp who worked car washes, pancake breakfasts, and spaghetti dinners.  I feel most awkward when it comes to raising funds for myself.  I don't want to pressure people to buy something to support me or play upon any obligation they may feel to give when they really don't want to.  What is amazing is there have been people God directed in unique ways to raise funds on our behalf.  Instead of sending out letters asking people to give, I pray that God would faithful provide according to His promise and He keeps moving people to do so.  I don't ask for money, but God moves people to give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let me brag on my God a little bit.  God has always met our needs, and He has used many people to do it.  I remember times when work was slow and odd jobs would come up.  When I first came on staff at a church and took a 45% cut in pay in 2005, there was a real potential we would need to sell our house.  I had already committed to go on an Israel trip when a friend of mine out of the blue gave me a check for $1,000.  I hadn't told anyone but God of our financial needs.  During that season whilst in paid ministry, God provided borders who hired a room and we were able to keep the house until we sold it and moved to Australia.  God's provision has continued to this day.  For over two and a half years, I was prohibited from working for pay in Australia.  That's a bit crazy, seeing as Sydney is one of the most expensive cities to live in the entire world!  The amount received from Shepherd's Staff would rise and fall at the perfect times.  When I visited the States this June, before I arrived God put it on someone's heart to put money in an envelope - not knowing that my ATM card had expired!  That money covered my incidentals for the trip.  God moved family and friends to give money during my two week stay without me even asking.  Last night I praised the LORD for dear friends who gave us money specifically for the purchase of tablets for the boy's school which will be required soon.  When the money received during the trip was added up, we had enough for the expense of the tablets and cases.  God is awesome!

The other day I read in Joshua 5:10-12:  "Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. ¹¹ And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. ¹² Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year."  God knew exactly the needs of His people.  He provided manna for His people for 40 years, a steady, predictable supply of heavenly bread.  But when He brought His people into the Land of Promise and they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased.  I'm sure at times the people lamented the loss of the manna, even as they missed the familiar food of Egypt.  The LORD used this passage to remind me that when He provides a job for Laura or myself outside of the church, it will be time to trust God in thanking people for their generosity and encouraging them to give to others as the Holy Spirit leads.  He's the One who has supplied all our needs, and He will ever be faithful to do so.

Don't allow money to ever become a focal point of your ministry or service unto God.  God knows we need money, housing, clothing, and transport, and He will supply our needs.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:30-34, "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  I want to thank every single person who has offered up prayers on our behalf and has given money to support our family and the ministry in Australia.  You have provided us a glittering testimony of the faithfulness of our God and the generosity of His people.  My God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  It is a humbling and amazing thing to be a recipient of God's goodness and grace through you.  May God reward you according to the riches of His grace.