Biblical Examples of Funding Kingdom Work
The biblical concept of funding kingdom work is rooted in various passages that demonstrate the importance of financial support for religious endeavors. In the Old Testament, King Darius's decree allowed the Israelites to draw from the provincial treasury of Syria to finance the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem [2]. This example illustrates the role of governmental support in facilitating kingdom work.
In the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples were supported by a group of women who "ministered unto him of their substance" [1]. This model of financial support for religious leaders and their work is echoed in the early Christian church, where believers shared their resources to support the apostles and other ministers.
The practice of giving to support kingdom work is also reflected in the writings of the early church fathers. For example, Cyprian emphasizes the importance of almsgiving, citing biblical examples such as Zacchaeus, who gave half of his goods to the poor [6]. Similarly, Augustine notes that the early Christians held all things in common, demonstrating a high level of commitment to supporting one another in their spiritual endeavors [8].
Throughout history, various traditions have interpreted and applied these biblical principles in different ways. For instance, Calvin discusses the role of kings and other leaders in supporting the church, citing examples from the Old Testament such as David and Hezekiah [4]. In a similar vein, Charles Hodge describes the kingdom of God as a kingdom of power, grace, and glory, highlighting the importance of financial support for the advancement of God's kingdom [3].
The Jewish tradition also places a strong emphasis on supporting the Temple and its services. Rashi comments on Nehemiah 10:34, noting that the Israelites pledged to provide financial support for the Temple [5]. This commitment to supporting the Temple is echoed in the biblical account of the Israelites' contributions to its construction and maintenance [7, 9].
These examples demonstrate that funding kingdom work is a biblical concept that has been understood and applied in various ways throughout history. The importance of financial support for religious endeavors is a common thread that runs through the biblical narrative and the writings of the early church fathers.
Sources
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — OF THE WORK OF MONKS. (part 8): then, did "lay out more," 3 in that he, as himself witnesseth, did at his own charges go a warfare. In the Gospel, namely, it is written, "Thereafter also Himself was making a journey through cities and villages preaching and evangelizing of the kingdom of God; and the twelve with Him, and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who is called Magdalene, out of whom seven devils had gone forth, and Joanna wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unt”
- Ezra (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezra 6:8: of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the river . . . expenses be given unto these men--The decree granted them the privilege of drawing from his provincial treasury of Syria, to the amount of whatever they required for the furthering of the work and providing sacrifice for the service of the temple, that the priests might daily pray for the health of the king and the prosperity of the empire.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 94: is presented in different aspects in the Word of God. Viewed as extending over all creatures, it is a kingdom of power, which, according to 1 Corinthians xv. 24 , He shall deliver up to God even the Father, when his mediatorial work is accomplished. Viewed in relation to his own people on earth it is the kingdom of grace. They all recognize Him as their absolute proprietor and sovereign. They all confide in his protection, and devote themselves to his service. He rules in them and reigns over them, and subdues all their and his enemies. V”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 102: These, however, they may use for the maintenance of their domestic state, which is in a manner combined with the dignity of the authority which they exercise. Thus we see that David, Hezekiah, Josiah, Jehoshaphat, and other holy kings, Joseph also, and Daniel, in proportion to the office which they sustained, without offending piety, expended liberally of the public funds; and we read in Ezekiel, that a very large extent of territory was assigned to kings ( Ezek. 48:21 ). In that passage, indeed, he is depicting the spiritual king”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Nehemiah 10:34: and all the work of the Temple of our God to do with money.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — ON WORKS AND ALMS. (part 6): had, and bought it."(5) 8. In fine, He calls those the children of Abraham whom He sees to be laborious in aiding and nourishing the poor. For when Zacchaeus said, "Behold, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore fourfold," Jesus answered and said, "That salvation has this day come to this house, for that he also is a son of Abraham."(6) For if Abraham believed in God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness, certainly he who gives alms according to God's pre”
- Ezra (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezra 2:68: 2:68-69 As when the Tabernacle was built (Exod 25:2-7; 35:4-9) and the Temple was renovated (2 Kgs 12:1-21), the people gave voluntary offerings to finance this effort. These funds supplemented the provincial grant by Darius (Ezra 6:8) and gifts from Israelites who stayed in Babylon (1:6). Each gave as much as he could based on his resources.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — OF THE WORK OF MONKS. (part 37): and one heart to Godward, so that no man saith that any thing is his own, but they have all things common.[2] For if in this earthly commonwealth its chief men in the old times did, as their own men of letters are wont in their most glowing phrase to tell of them, to that degree prefer the common weal of the whole people of their city and country to their own private affairs, that one of them,[3] for subduing of Africa honored with a triumph, would have had nothing to give to his daughter on her marriage, unless by”
- 1 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Kings 5:13: SOLOMON'S WORKMEN AND LABORERS. (Kg1 5:13-18) Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel--The renewed notice of Solomon's divine gift of wisdom (Kg1 5:12) is evidently introduced to prepare for this record of the strong but prudent measures he took towards the accomplishment of his work. So great a stretch of arbitrary power as is implied in this compulsory levy would have raised great discontent, if not opposition, had not his wise arrangement of letting the laborers remain at home two months out of three, added to the sacredness of the work, reconcile”