I’m not sure why I’m writing this, other than to provoke the Body of Christ to come to the understanding of provision and support necessary for those who labor in ministry. The Church has somewhere along the way obtained a distorted view in this area, sometimes even preaching lack and a poverty mindset. But, I truly believe that Jesus did not live in lack and he taught the disciples how to depend on those to whom they minister for provision - food, clothing, lodging, and financial support. In fact, in Luke 8:1-3 (The Message) it speaks of a group of women who ministered to Jesus and his disciples out of their own substance…1-3He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God's kingdom, spreading the Message. The Twelve were with him. There were also some women in their company who had been healed of various evil afflictions and illnesses: Mary, the one called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's manager; and Susanna—along with many others who used their considerable means to provide for the company.Furthermore, when Jesus sent the 12 disciples out to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils, He specifically said to them in Matthew 10: 9-10 (NLT):9 Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. 10 Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.It was never intended for expecting or accepting support and provision from those you labor among as being an ungodly thing. However, Paul faced this same issue in 1 Corinthians 9:7-14. It reads in the New Living Translation as follows:7 What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? 8 Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? 9 For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? 10 Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest. 11 Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 12 If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ. 13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.It is a God thing to accept provision from the people to whom you minister and deliver the Gospel message. As ministers of the Gospel, who have the right to expect provision and a right to deny this provision if we so desire. And as recipients of the Gospel from other ministers, we should endeavor to always bless the man or woman of God with a just and rightful offering unless they refuse. These provisions include but are not limited to food, clothing, lodging, and financial support.Eryka J.
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