Very early in discussions about possible involvement in missions, the question will arise: “What is the financial support arrangement if I sign up for a mission assignment?” If we meet with a friend or loved one who recently has decided to go into missions, we soon ask them: “What is your financial situation?”
How interesting that we who enjoy so many resources in one of the wealthiest lands of the world should simultaneously have such great concerns for our survival in missions.
Yet Jesus himself highlighted the vital importance of our views of money in a parable in Luke 16:1-15. From the parable he concluded: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”
He also recognized our propensity for worry about basic needs, urging us to consider God’s care for the birds and flowers and to remember that we are more valuable than the birds. He knows what we need (Matthew 6:25-34).
DestiNations International (DNI) has chosen to take the approach to finances called “faith missions” as pioneered and made famous by men such as Hudson Taylor and Watchman Nee, among others. We understand that a variety of approaches to financing God’s work exist and are not hereby implying that any other approach is devoid of all faith and is not being used by God.
What do we mean by a “faith missions” approach to finances? How does it differ from other strategies of financing missions? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What is the value of a “faith missions” approach? How does DNI work this out in a practical way?
First, what is “faith missions”? Faith missions means that we trust God to provide our finances, not our mission organization. This approach is based on Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God; because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” The quality of faith in a missionary is one of the most basic virtues, absolutely necessary for a work to be established and to please God. In the words of one early missionary, it is to “move men by God through prayer alone”. In the words of Watchman Nee, “If a man can trust God, let him go and work for Him. If not, let him stay at home, for he lacks the first qualification for the work…Faith is the most important factor in God’s service, for without it there can be no truly spiritual work. Our faith requires training and strengthening, and material needs are a means used in God’s hand toward that end” (The Normal Christian Church Life, p. 98).
This approach to financing ministry has its roots in the ministries of Christ and Paul. In the orientation Jesus gave his disciples before sending them out two by two in mission, he instructed them: “Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper…for the worker is worth his keep” (Mat. 10:8-10). Even though Paul did not always make use of his right to financial support, he gave this instruction for Gospel workers: “Don’t we have the right to food and drink?…Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?…If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?…the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (I Cor. 9:1-18).
Secondly, what are some of the other approaches in financing missions? Some missions pay their workers a fixed salary. This approach has the benefit of removing much of the financial testing from the worker and places it on the organization, but typically slows the rate at which missions can send out new workers. It also introduces a strong employer-employee relationship between the mission and the worker, resulting in an unending parade of questions about the benefits the organization will provide.
Another financial strategy is to require missionaries to raise pledges in advance of their going to the field. This removes the pressure from the organization, but places the burden of fund-raising on the workers, a task that most missionaries usually find very distasteful, expensive and time-consuming. It is an approach that leaves congregations feeling that missionaries visit them primarily for the purpose of raising money.
Still another plan, and one with Biblical precedent, is called “tent-making” after Paul’s frequent use of his trade of making tents to finance his ministry. In today’s world, this means finding part- or full-time work to support oneself in ministry. In some situations worldwide this may not even be an option. In others, it may be a necessity and a real aid to connecting with local people. In still other cases, it may become so time-consuming that little time for ministry is available.
Thirdly, consider the value of the “faith mission” financial strategy. All missionaries will doubtless testify how it has strengthened their faith as they see God answer specific, sometimes desperate, prayers. We thrill to read the stories of answers to prayer of missionaries of years gone by but tremble to be those missionaries ourselves!
This approach definitely encourages the worker to prayerfully go to the Lord with all his needs and to use carefully what God does provide for him. This teaches the worker to look to the Lord and to depend on Him, not on people and organizations nor to use pressure tactics that amount to “sanctified begging”.
As cycles of abundance and scarcity come and go, the worker is motivated to see in God’s provision the answer to his prayer for guidance in ministry. “If God provides, I will go through that open door; if He does not, I will wait.”
As God provides, the worker experiences increased confidence that he is where God wants him to be. Yes, there are times of heart-felt crying out to God to provide. But there are also experiences of extraordinary timing and provision that result in “joy unspeakable and full of glory”.
Another blessing of this approach to finances is that we can recommend it to national workers in their homeland. They, too, can ask and trust God to supply just as we do. We then model the path that we recommend others to take in ministry. God can also provide for them without creating a dependency upon the “North American pipeline” of financial blessing.
And finally, this approach “weeds out” those who are not willing to trust God for their daily needs. If we cannot trust God to keep his promises in these “lesser” matters pertaining to our bodies, how can we be certain that we are able to trust him in the great eternal realities upon which the salvation and sanctification of our souls depends?
As a “faith mission”, exactly what is DestiNations’ financial policy? DNI is a forwarding channel for gifts and offerings that are designated for its appointed workers, granting tax-exempt receipts to donors. No percentage of the gifts is deducted for administrative expenses since DNI administrators also trust God for their support. As funds are available, DNI provides for the travel to and from the field of service at the beginning and end of each term as well as the expenses for periodic workers’ retreats and orientation events. Similarly, the expenses of approved ministry projects may be provided (such as a clinic, an orphanage, etc). Workers should not borrow nor directly solicit funds or advance pledges of support. Certainly, as they are asked about their financial status and needs, it is appropriate to give answers according to the questions and interest of the inquirer. Workers are requested to formulate a budget and to send in a quarterly report indicating the percentage they are above or below their proposed budget. DNI may provide information (in consultation with workers) to individuals and congregations as appropriate when workers are experiencing inadequate support.
In conclusion, for many this approach to financing missions may seem rather risky and novel. It feels and appears risky…but only if God’s promises are not trustworthy. Novel it is not, for it was pioneered by Christ and his apostles and demonstrated by great men and women of faith of modern missions. It was a means used of God in the 1700 and 1800’s to propel literally thousands of workers into the mission field for whom adequate support with fixed salaries through the denominational mission boards of that time was not possible.
Together let us echo these challenging words that follow: “God’s work done in God’s way shall not lack God’s supply” (Hudson Taylor). “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God” (William Carey). “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Missionary Paul, Philippians 4:19).