One clear principle we learned from Christ Jesus and His call to His apostles is that it involves individuals, not the entire family. While some of the disciples were siblings, each chose to follow Jesus Christ by their own volition. Christ even warned His disciples, saying, “And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:36) As we can see, even His own human family was not supportive of His work at the onset of Christ’s ministry (see Mark 3:20-21; John 7:2-5).
In our modern times, we witness couples who actively partner in ministry, each having made a conscious decision to serve Christ Jesus. Another notable example is when children later follows in the footsteps of their pastor-father. This is commendable if they have received proper guidance and have embraced God’s calling. However, it is crucial to emphasize that coercing children into joining our ministry is not advisable. They should serve Christ Jesus willingly, not because we pastor-fathers have imposed it upon them. As Christ reminds us, “Come, follow Me.” It is Jesus who calls, not through coercion of men.
Scripture proclaims, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). God’s methodology for ministry remains unchanged; it’s Christians who have reinvented new concepts of ministry work.
Jesus Christ commanded, “You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold, silver, or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And wherever you enter a town or village, find out who is worthy and stay there until you leave” (Matthew 10:8-11).
Have you noticed the phrase “the laborer deserves his food”? This principle was emphasized in Paul’s letters, particularly in 1 Corinthians 9:4-14, Galatians 6:6-7, and 1 Timothy 5:17-18. Christians who understand the Lord’s ministry support God’s servants willingly. As servants of the Word, we should uphold the same principles and procedures. Go forth and perform God’s work with confidence in His unwavering truthfulness to His Word. Just as God demonstrated His faithfulness through acts like providing for Elijah during the famine, offering Abraham a sacrifice to spare Isaac’s life, and countless other acts, we too can trust in God’s provision.
If servants of the Word cannot trust God’s Word for sustenance, how can we effectively teach people about faith?
So, I challenge God’s workers who are struggling to embark on God’s ministry, because they fear the lack of provision. In Joshua 3, the Israelites carrying God’s ark of the covenant reached the Jordan River. The water receded, allowing the priest and all of Israel to cross over. However, before the water receded, God’s people ought to trust His Word that it would happen. As He had stipulated, they should take – that step of faith – so as soon as they stepped into the water, and it immediately receded. See Joshua 3:7-17.
“The LORD said to Joshua, ‘Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, “When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.” And Joshua said to the people of Israel, ‘Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.’ And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.”
Remember this from the moment you start serving God: “It is God who calls, and He alone provides.” Therefore, instead of asking for pledges for ministry support, trust in God’s timely provision.
You might wonder, “How can people support my ministry if they do not know who I am or what I do?” Christ Jesus teaches His disciples by saying, “Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest upon them; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves their wages. Do not move from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat whatever is set before you.” (Luke 10:5-8)
Let me be clear: Christ does not teach us, pastors, to take advantage of gracious Christians. Instead, Jesus imparts His principles of serving and giving. Paul articulates this clearly in Galatians 6:6-7: “Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
It’s important to express gratitude to those who support our ministry. However, we must remember that it is God who inspires them to give. Just as we are called to be God’s servants, they are also fulfilling their role in the act of grace. Ultimately, all good things come from Him!
As evident in John’s letter to the church, “Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.” (3 John 1:5-8 NLT)
If you read the entirety of 3 John, it is clear that those who hinders Christians from extending aids to God’s workers were deemed evil workers (3 John 9-12).
Paul taught Christian about giving, which he referred to as the act of grace (2 Corinthians 8:1-7). We should likewise teach this to others, but I want to emphasize that we should teach, not demand or worse, scare them into giving.
Christ Jesus Himself did not always multiply bread and fish. In fact, He never did it for His own sustenance, even during the 40 days of temptation by the devil. Instead, He demonstrated unwavering trust in God. Jesus Christ exemplified His principle on serving God and giving, as He had taught, as seen in Luke 8:1-3.
“Soon afterward Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”
Hence, Paul teaches the same, saying, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:5-8)
As the body of Christ, Christians are called to endure and work together for the advancement of the Gospel. Each of us should faithfully fulfill our calling, gift, or role. We are all in this together, as the Bible teaches us about the ministry of partnerships.
According to the Bible, God not only calls individuals to the ministry but He also inspires others to give, making them partners in His work—fellow workers for the truth (3 John 5-8). Therefore, responding to God’s calling and the act of grace or giving both require trust in Him.
In Scripture, giving to God’s workers is intended to be a direct act rather than a process where funds are collected and then distributed, a concept that has emerged only in modern Christianity. Unfortunately, this contemporary approach can sometimes be exploited to control and manipulate pastors for coercive or political purposes. It’s also not a secret that some organizations that collect funds for mission work have been associated with irregularities. The Bible teaches us to give directly to God’s workers (Galatians 6:6-7; 1 Corinthians 9:14; 3 John 5-8; 2 Corinthians 8:23-24).
In the book of Philippians, Paul expressed his gratitude to the Philippians for the gift they sent him. At the time, he was imprisoned in Rome, and their support was delivered by an emissary. Paul described their contributions as a fragrant offering to God and, in response, offered them a prayer for God’s blessings. ( see Philippians 4:10-20)
Hence, just as there is a corresponding reward for God’s faithful workers, the same may be said for Christians who excel in the act of giving. (see 1 Corinthians 3:8,14; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 10:40-42; Matthew 25:34-40; Philippians 4:18-19; 2 Corinthians 8:13-15; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15).
Therefore, everything should be done with confidence in God, in accordance with the Scriptures’ teachings. Christian workers respond to God’s call to glorify Him. Those who participate in the act of grace do so to glorify God’s work. So borrowing from Paul’s words, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1Co 10:31)
Christians, let us all adhere to the principles taught in Scripture. God’s ministry is sacred, and the sanctity of His work is of utmost importance to Him and to us as well.
This is the first and only article I wrote that deals with the act of grace. Take it as a teaching on God’s call and giving, and not for the purpose of solicitation, but for God’s glory. Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines, and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!
Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture 