It is plain that God calls some believers to be relieved of the demands of secular work to engage in another kind of work, the Lord’s work. This is not a distinction between clergy and laity as introduced by men in the church’s history, but a simple fact of God’s sovereign work in calling His servants.
Nor is it to assume that believers who carry home and secular work responsibility are any less engaged in the Lord’s work. A full-time commended worker should have gone into the Lord’s work with the agreement of a local assembly who saw evidence of the Lord’s call. We are not talking about a strong personality talking weak elders into giving out a thoughtless letter of commendation–a means of avoiding hard work by living off the Christians.
The Bible, always practical, speaks plainly about financial support of full-time Christian workers. The “George Mueeller stories” give us cause to wonder again and again at the wisdom, timing, and power of God in feeding His own. But another side to the great principle of “living by faith,” has to do with those God uses to feed His servants. Here are some practical observations on supporting Christian workers.
1. It is the Lord who has determined that “they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14). It was an idea that went back to the days of the Levites’ service in the temple. John Heading in his commentary, First Epistle to the Corinthians, identifies 5 groups of believers who are worthy of financial support: 1) evangelists (Lk. 10:7; 1 Cor. 9:14); 2) apostles (Phil. 4:15-16); 3) teachers (Gal. 6:6); 4) elders (1 Tim. 5:17); 5) poor saints, probably including widows (Rom. 15:26-27).
2. While the Lord meets the needs, as individuals and assemblies we should want to be instruments God can use. The carnality of the Corinthians blinded them to their duty in this matter. The apostle took up self-employment to provide for himself and not hinder the gospel. Imagine how the Corinthians will feel at the Judgment Seat when they see the great apostle was among them, yet they failed to support him.
3. It is best to err on the side of generosity in determining the amount of the gift given to a worker. To invite a worker to travel to an area for a weekend or week long series of meetings, and then give a gift hardly equivalent to an average week’s pay, not to mention travel costs, is hardly worthy of Christians. The world generously gives its workers their pay. Should believers do less? See 2 Corinthians 9 on this. In addition, some assemblies do not have resources to give generously. If you can give generously, you are helping another assembly to enjoy the needed ministry of the worker. The Lord richly repays this kind of giving. See Philippians 4:17.
4. Consider sending workers a gift in advance to cover travel costs. Airline tickets can be significantly less expensive if purchased several weeks before the travel date.
5. Canadian assemblies should consider making gifts to American workers in U.S. drafts or cash. Many U.S. banks will hold Canadian checks for up to 3 weeks. Don’t make the worker finance international bank transactions.
6. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul is continuing the Holy Spirit’s teaching on Christian liberty. He showed that he had the liberty to refrain from accepting gifts in order that the gospel not be hindered, and chose to take up–for a time–secular self-employment. For Paul the main thing was the gospel, not the gifts. Workers should not be surprised if they are faced with this situation. A lack of support is not necessarily a failure on the part of the worker. Careful consideration should be given to doing what Paul did. There is a snare here, however. Paul did not forsake the Lord’s work for secular work. In his case it was a temporary and specific situation in Corinth.
God has infinite resources. He knows how to take care of His servants. In 1 Kings 17, the Lord provided for Elijah in trying circumstances. At one time God used the ravens to feed Elijah; another time, He used a widow. We can’t help but wonder where the other 7,000 of chapter 19 were in Elijah’s time of need? It may be that God chose not to use them. Then again, maybe they weren’t available. Let not that be true of us.