In the first post in this Missionary Fundraising series, we examined the Old Testament for Biblical precedents for missionary fundraising. Now, let’s look at the New Testament and see what we can learn.

The Life of Jesus

In the New Testament we also see very extensive teaching about servants of the Lord receiving their wages through ministry. For a first example, in Luke 8:1-3 we see that even Jesus and His followers received support for their ministry:

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him[a] from their substance. Luke 8:1-3

Jesus, our example, accepted provisions from others as a means to live. And He did so without reservation, apology, or guilt. Again, God is consistent throughout His Word on this topic. It is acceptable, even commendable, for God’s servants to receive their livelihood from the giving of others.

The Life of Paul

Though not as great an example as Jesus, of course, the Apostle Paul is our most thorough example in the New Testament concerning the support of ministry workers. Paul consistently asked churches to support his ministry, without reservation. For the Apostle Paul, it was a necessity for him to continue doing the Lord’s work.

whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. Romans 15:24

And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 2 Corinthians 1:15-16

In the two examples above, Paul is directly asking for the financial support of the churches. In short, he is saying “I need you to give me money, so that I can continue my work for the Lord”. This is clearly an example for us to follow in raising funds for our work. But lest we be confused or draw incorrect conclusions about ministry fundraising, Paul develops the most extensive treatment of fundraising in the Bible in 1 Corinthians.

The Greatest Fundraising Chapter

1 Corinthians 9 is perhaps the greatest fundraising teaching ever written. Paul outlines here several arguments for fundraising. So grab your Bible and keep this post open, and let’s see what Paul has to say in terms of biblical precedents for missionary fundraising.

Verse 7: Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

Paul makes a very powerful argument for missionary support here, using logical comparisons. What soldier is expected to pay for his own weapons, ammunition, armor, and transportation? The thought is as ludicrous today as it was in Paul’s day. The comparison is clear. Paul considers himself to be a soldier in Christ’s army, so why should he need to pay his own way? It’s not an arrogant assertion, it’s a logical, reasonable one.

And who among us tends a garden but does not feel a right to partake of the results?

In other words, if you spend your time developing something, you should be supported out of that development. This is the logical point that Paul is making, and it is God’s way.

Verses 8-10: 8: Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”[a] Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.

Paul is not satisfied with logical arguments in this case, because, I suppose, he knows we may not be fully convinced. So he proceeds to make application using the Word of God to further solidify his argument. Paul is reaffirming here that Deuteronomy 25:4 was not written for the sake of the rights of animals (thought the application can be made there), but it was written primarily for full time Christian workers and all those that support them. In short, Paul is saying “don’t expect the full time workers around you to minister to you for nothing – they have to eat too!”

Verse 11: If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

Perhaps the most striking argument Paul makes is contrasting spiritual things with physical things. The lesson is clear. What is more important? Your money or your soul? The fact that Paul (and missionaries) bring spiritual things to people through ministry makes it a very trivial matter that they should receive material, physical compensation while doing so. It’s almost nothing in comparison. That is Paul’s claim here, and one we should take to heart as we consider biblical precedents for missionary fundraising.