When Jesus sent out the 12 Apostles (Luke 9) and then the 70 (or 72) disciples (Luke 10) on their first mission experience, He specifically tell them not to worry about provisions, not even to take money, and just assumes that their needs will be taken take of on the way. It appears that all their needs were met.

Paul is the great illustration of the “tentmaking missionary” since Acts 18:3 notes that he and Aquila and Priscilla had the trade of making tents and so lived and worked together to support themselves. In Acts 20:34 Paul notes that “these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions” and added that his hard manual work was intended to be an illustration for those among whom he ministered (note also 2 Thes 3:8, 9).

However, Paul also received help from churches. I would encourage you to study Philippians 4 in which Paul reviews specifically the matter of financial support with his friends in Philippi. Every verse from 10-19 in this chapter says something about money and missionary support. However, he is not pleading for money; he is thanking them for their generosity. He notes that sometimes he has had abundance and sometimes his support has been a bit thin. But he “has learned the secret of being content.”

What we see then, is that the Lord supplies His servants in many ways. What we do not see, is missionaries either complaining about their lack of being supported or making the matter a big issue.

When one takes a look down the annals of mission history, one sees missionaries being supported by a wide variety of means. The Roman Catholic Jesuits used their knowledge of science to become salaried members of the Chinese court, the Mennonites were tradesmen and supported themselves through working with their hands as carpenters and masons, while others have received full support from friends and churches in their homeland. The basic principle is that the Lord called individuals to mission and His servants responded and He provided for them one way or another according to the circumstances.

Debt and Loans

Paul writes to the Romans (13:8) that they should have no debts. This is a good policy, which is to live within one’s means. However, there are different kinds of debt. For example, few people could afford to pay the full cost of an automobile or a house. However, if one takes out a loan on a car or house and has adequate insurance to cover loss or damage, one is able to cover one’s loan. Many students today take out loans to get through college, and the government is confident that the preparation of a college education will enable an individual in time to repay low interest loans.

This is far different than just running up credit card debt. A problem in our contemporary society is that young people expect to enjoy certain privileges and are easily seduced into purchases they cannot afford by effective advertising and the patterns of their friends.

The Scripture encourages us to be content with the things that we have (Heb 13:5), not to desire (covet) belongings or opportunities that others have (Ex 20:17), and to work hard to pay our way (2 Thes 3:10). In fact, Paul notes in the last reference that if one is lazy and doesn’t work, he (or she) shouldn’t eat.

I trust these few observations will be helpful to you. Don’t hesitate to write me if I missed your basic concern.

Blessings on you, Mia.