Missed Opportunity|The Duty & Benefits Of Supporting God’s Servants

Listen to the article:

Immature Christians may think they know everything and don’t need a teacher. But to learn and grow, a believer needs the ministers who teach the Word.

Often times, the attitude and actions of students toward their teacher affect how much they benefit and how long it takes them to mature.

God uses human vessels to preach the Gospel and disciple believers to maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s why the five-fold ministers are essential for the growth of the Church. They build or break a local church. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

In this context, ministers who need financial support refer to full-time ministers and missionaries who devote their time to teach, preach, pray, who visit and serve others in orphanages, schools, hospitals, prisons or workplaces or who officiate at weddings, burials, child dedications and baptisms. By virtue of their ministry responsibilities, they’re unable to manage a business or hold a paying job.

God expects them to watch over the souls of Christians by feeding them spiritually and preparing them for the groom, Jesus Christ. As they do these, they’re accountable to their local church and to God who will judge them strictly. (Hebrews 13:17, James 3:1)

Shouldn’t we make their work easier by supporting them with our substances?

5 Biblical Guidelines For Supporting Ministers

#1: Finances

Believers should support, fund and take care of those who preach to them the Gospel and disciple them. (1 Corinthians 9:11)

The Bible says;

“Those who are taught the Word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.” (Galatians 6:6)

Those who plant spiritual seed are entitled to or deserve a material harvest like food and drink. In some instances, Apostle Paul chose not to use this right in some churches and not others. (1 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 11:8-9)

Jesus too received financial support from well-wishers. (Luke 8:3)

#2: Honour

They deserve double honour for using their teaching and leading gifts to equip the church and for payment or supported financially because they work hard to prepare lessons, pray, teach and meet the needs of others. (1 Timothy 5:17-18)

#3: Obey

Respect and do what they tell you in the Lord so they don’t get discouraged or frustrated as they serve God’s people. (1 Thessalonians 5:12, Hebrews 13:17)

#4: Host

Christians who host and support ministers will receive the heavenly reward of those minister. (Philippians 2:29)

Jesus says;

“If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.”

(Matthew 10:41)

#5: Pray

Ask God to open doors for ministry, courage to speak the truth and strength to serve. They are a target of Satan and may become discouraged and stressed. Apostle Paul and his fellow ministers often asked the believers to pray for them. (Colossians 4:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, Hebrews 13:18-19)

Sometimes we fail to appreciate our spiritual leaders go through to feed us, pray for us and serve us every day of the week. We think ministry is easy but it can get difficult.

As you can see, the minister and those ministered to are partners in the Gospel. They need each other and none can do without the other. God uses the minister to nourish, pray and meet the spiritual needs of members while the members furnish and meet the financial needs of the minister. Both flourish when they work together!

And after each has done their part, they both receive an equal reward. None has done a better job or is more special than the other. That’s because in a partnership, both absorb the losses or enjoy the profits and in teamwork, team members win or lose together. Isn’t God smart?

Therefore, a Christian who rejoices when their minister goes down is foolish because they too are affected. And a minister who doesn’t work and pray for the wellbeing of the members is unwise because he too will be affected when they suffer.

The best illustration is that of a husband and wife. They’re one. If one spouses wishes the other well, they both flourish. When one fights the other, he or she is fighting self.

In the Church, we’re on the same team. We should be concerned for the wellbeing of everyone in our midst.

Several times in the Bible God blessed supporters of ministers;

1. The widow who fed prophet Elijah with her last meal received a continuous provision of flour and oil. When her son died, the prophet raised him. (1 Kings 17)
2. The widow in debt got a miracle of jars filled with oil which she sold to clear her debts after feeding Prophet Elisha. (2 Kings 4:1-7)
3. The barren woman who hosted prophet Elisha in their home received a son. Years later when the son died, the prophet raised him back to life. (2 Kings 4:8-37)
4. The rich woman called Lydia invited ministers to her home after all members of her household were baptized. (Acts 16:14-15)

Most of the people in the examples above received material blessings for supporting ministers yet those who receive heavenly or eternal blessings for supporting God’s work are more blessed.

Therefore, when Christians are intentional and consistent in supporting their ministers with whatever little or much, in kind or money, they give an acceptable offering or sacrifice that pleases God. (Philippians 4:17-19)

When the needs of fulltime ministers are met, they’re encouraged to devote themselves fully to the work of ministry. (2 Chronicles 31:4)

As you can see, giving financial support is a duty of every Christian who has something to give. We must support ministers who feed us spiritually especially those in our local churches. I think it’s unwise to support a tele-evangelist or minister who is far away and doesn’t even know your name while neglecting your local ministers who stand with you at a moment’s call.

In sad cases, ministers quit ministry or suffer lack in their families because the people they teach have not understood their responsibility toward them.

In the Old Testament, Levites belonged to God and didn’t receive an inheritance of land but towns to live in because they lived on the tithes and offerings of the people. In times when people didn’t support them, they abandoned their priestly roles to go and fend for their families. (Joshua 14:4, 13:14, Nemiah 13:10)

Yet God had instructed the Israelites this;

“And be very careful never to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.”

(Deuteronomy 12:19)

I’m aware some ministers abuse their right to financial support and use others to amass wealth and live in luxury. But as responsible stewards, we should not fail to support genuine ministers as we hold them accountable for the distribution of funds entrusted to them.

When ministers teach a false gospel, are greedy or lovers of money who live a sinful lifestyle, Christians are no longer obligated to give them financial support.

The Bible says;

“If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner of their evil work”

(2 John 1:10-11)

Do you support those who teach, disciple or train you spiritually?

It’s a privilege to partner in God’s work in our generation. Whenever you seize an opportunity to support God’s ministers, you share in their joy, impact and heavenly reward.

Learn more about the 6 Stops To Guard Against False Men of God|Escape Before It’s Too Late.

Do you support those who teach, disciple or train you spiritually in tangible ways?

Whenever you seize an opportunity to support God’s ministers, you share in their joy, impact and heavenly reward.

Thank you for reading this article. I welcome your comments and questions – as iron sharpens iron, let’s sharpen each other.

Follow us @passonleader on Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|YouTube|TikTok

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.