Three Reasons to Support Missionaries

IT’S BIBLICAL

When we say it’s biblical, we mean that evangelism and missions are biblical and supporting missionaries is biblical as well. Let us explain this. In Matthew 28:19-20, (Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen), Jesus personally asked his followers to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to all people and make them disciples of the One True God. So, the primary motivation for missions is obeying God’s command to his church, and this is the main reason why missionaries today leave their homes and families to go to foreign countries and preach the Gospel.

Supporting these missionaries is a biblical command as well. We read in 3 John 7-8 (For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth). The reason missionaries do what they do is to spread God’s truth to the whole world, and John encourages us to “Support people like these.” Missionaries will not be able to fulfill their mission without your support and help, and that’s why John encouraged the church to support their mission work. Supporting these missionaries makes you a part of their work and eventually a part of God’s global plan. God has called some to go and others to stay and give and pray.

IT’S NECESSARY

Romans 10:17 says “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The Apostle clearly indicates that the way to faith is the Word of God; however, before this, the writer of Romans asks, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15a). The Holy Spirit has clearly emphasized a fundamental truth that Faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of God, which means if there is no hearing of the word of God, there will be no faith. How are people going to hear unless someone is out there preaching the word of God to them? Supporting missionaries is essential because missions is the biblical model of expansion of the kingdom of God, and by helping these missionaries, we help in spreading the good news to the whole world.

MISSIONARIES BLESS YOU

When Paul received the support from the church of Philippi, he thanked them saying (For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account) Philippians 4:16b-17. Paul then continues in verse 19 saying, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Paul knew that giving is better than receiving ( Acts 20:35 ) and that God will reward people for their support of the missionaries. We do not support missionaries expecting to get something back, but we support them believing in the importance and urgency of missions, and trusting the God will use those people to change the world. By doing so we will be a big part in spreading the word of God among the nations, and that is our greatest blessing.