Biblical Basis for Supporting Missionaries Financially

The biblical basis for supporting missionaries financially is rooted in various passages that emphasize the importance of providing for those who dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel and serving the community. The principle of supporting those in ministry is first seen in the Old Testament, where the Levites, who were responsible for the spiritual care of Israel, were to be supported by the rest of the community ^[7].

In Deuteronomy 18:8, it is written that the Levites were to receive support from the regular offerings designated for that purpose, allowing them to focus on their spiritual duties without having to forfeit their own assets. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus instructs his disciples to take no provisions for their journey, relying on the hospitality of others (Luke 22:36) ^[6].

The apostle Paul further develops this idea in his letters, emphasizing that those who preach the Gospel should be supported by those to whom they minister. In 1 Corinthians 9:13, Paul writes that those who work in the temple are supported by the temple's resources, and similarly, those who preach the Gospel should be supported by those they serve. This principle is also reflected in Galatians 6:6, where believers are encouraged to share their resources with those who teach them God's message ^[3].

The New Testament also highlights the importance of generosity and liberality in supporting those in ministry. In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul expresses gratitude for the financial support he received from the Philippian church, which enabled him to continue his missionary work ^[4]. The early Christian community demonstrated a similar commitment to supporting its leaders, as seen in the writings of the early Church Fathers.

According to Lactantius, a early Christian writer, the bishop should be content with simple food and raiment, and not be luxurious in diet or fond of idle furniture, for "the labourer is worthy of his reward" ^[10]. This emphasis on simplicity and moderation in the use of resources is also reflected in the writings of Aquinas, who argues that the sacraments are spiritual and should not be sold, but that the ministers of the Church should be supported by the people ^[5].

The Jewish tradition also provides insight into the importance of supporting those in need, including those in ministry. The Babylonian Talmud discusses the practice of lending money to priests, Levites, and the poor, with the understanding that they would be supported through the separation of teruma and tithes from the produce ^{[8, 9, 11]}.

In Leviticus 25:35, the Israelites are commanded to support their poor brethren, ensuring they can live among them like an alien and a temporary resident. This principle of supporting the vulnerable is echoed in the New Testament and continues to be an important aspect of Christian practice today ^[2].

The biblical basis for supporting missionaries financially is thus rooted in a broader principle of generosity and support for those who dedicate their lives to serving others. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, supporting missionaries is an imperative duty, grounded in the example of Christ and the calling of saints to be faithful stewards ^[1].

The practice of supporting missionaries financially has been a consistent theme throughout Christian history, reflecting a deep commitment to the spread of the Gospel and the care of those who dedicate their lives to this task. As the Church continues to grow and evolve, this principle remains a vital aspect of Christian practice, guiding the relationship between those who minister and those who support them.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As — After the example of Christ -- Ac 10:38. Women and children as well as men -- Ps 8:2; Pr 31:26; Mt 21:15,16; Php 4:3; 1Ti 5:10; Tit 2:3-5; 1Pe 3:1. The zeal of idolaters should provoke to -- Jer 7:18. The zeal of hypocrites should provoke to -- Mt 23:15. An imperative duty -- Jdj 5:23; Lu 19:40. The principle on which -- 2Co 5:14,15. However weak they may be -- 1Co 1:27. From their calling as saints -- Ex 19:6; 1Pe 2:9. As faithful stewards -- 1Pe 4:10,11. In youth -- Ps 71:17; 148:12,13. In old age -- De 32:7; Ps 71:18. In”
Leviticus ““‘If your brother has become poor, and his hand can’t support himself among you; then you shall uphold him. He shall live with you like an alien and a temporary resident. -- Leviticus 25:35”
Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 6:6: 6:6-10 In financially supporting those who teach them God’s message (6:6), believers harvest a spiritual crop. 6:6 Supporting Christian teachers applies 5:13 and 6:2 (cp. 1 Tim 5:17-18).”
Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:5: 1:5 Their partnership included financial support (see 4:10-20).”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), On Simony, Art. 2: Article: Whether it is always unlawful to give money for the sacraments? I answer that, The sacraments of the New Law are of all things most spiritual, inasmuch as they are the cause of spiritual grace, on which no price can be set, and which is essentially incompatible with a non-gratuitous giving. Now the sacraments are dispensed through the ministers of the Church, whom the people are bound to support, according to the words of the Apostle (1 Cor. 9:13), "Know you not, that they who work in the ”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 22:36: 22:36 take your money and a traveler’s bag: For their missions to Israel’s villages, the apostles had traveled without provisions and depended on others’ support (9:3; 10:3-4). In the dangerous days to come, they would have to plan more carefully. Jesus prepared his disciples for his suffering and death, and also for the establishing of the church and the worldwide proclamation of the Good News. • a sword: Jesus was probably not telling his followers to take up arms, but was speaking metaphorically—they must prepare themselves for a violent crisis.”
Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 18:8: 18:8 support from his family: Although Levites were in full-time ministry at the Tabernacle and (later) the Temple, they could still hold material assets of their own (see Num 35:1-8). The Levites were to be supported by the regular offerings designated for that purpose without having to forfeit any of their own assets.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Gittin 181a.59:11: § The Sages taught in a baraita ( Tosefta 3:1): With regard to one who lends money to a priest, or to a Levite, or to a poor person with the understanding that he will separate their portion of the teruma and tithes from his produce on the basis of that money, he may separate the teruma and tithes from his produce on the basis of that money, with the presumption that they are still alive.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Gittin 181b.59:11: § The Sages taught in a baraita ( Tosefta 3:1): With regard to one who lends money to a priest, or to a Levite, or to a poor person with the understanding that he will separate their portion of the teruma and tithes from his produce on the basis of that money, he may separate the teruma and tithes from his produce on the basis of that money, with the presumption that they are still alive.”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — SEC. IV.--ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE RESOURCES COLLECTED FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CLERGY, AND THE RELIEF OF THE POOR.: Let the bishop esteem such food and raiment sufficient as suits necessity and decency. Let him not make use of the Lord's goods as another's, but moderately; "for the labourer is worthy of his reward."(3) Let him not be luxurious in diet, or fond of idle furniture, but contented with so much alone as is necessary for his sustenance.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Gittin 30a.11: § The Sages taught in a baraita ( Tosefta 3:1): With regard to one who lends money to a priest, or to a Levite, or to a poor person with the understanding that he will separate their portion of the teruma and tithes from his produce on the basis of that money, he may separate the teruma and tithes from his produce on the basis of that money, with the presumption that they are still alive.”

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