WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MEETING FULL TIME MINISTERS/ MISSIONARIES NEEDS
Let me start by saying our provision is on God but this will be abstract except I explain what I mean.
Jesus sent out certain disciples. He sent the 12 and later on sent the 70 for instance. Then, He gave them certain instructions, "carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes..." (Luke 10:4, KJV). When Jesus said this, was He trying to set up the disciples and suffer them 'cause He told them not to travel with any provision or means by which they could provide for themselves?
He literally emptied them. He stripped them naked and handed them over to their obedience and faith in God.
What principle can we glean from here?
Reliance on God! Can God be relied on? Yes! As you walk with Him, you'll prove this to be true through small matters first of all and be able to trust God on bigger matters.
Then comes their way of escape. Jesus said, "5 and into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you" (Lk.10:5-8).
Jesus said once you enter a house, greet them. Did you see Jesus teaching them social etiquette and how important it is to present oneself as a fellow that'll not be deprived of gratitude or one that is anti-social. Now, Jesus further talks about the "son of peace". Who's this son of peace if not someone who will just open to them though he or she might never have met them before? He'll just believe in them and make his house available for these strangers. That's the fellow who'll say, "you can lodge here". As the disciples greet and as he or she responds, they can strike a conversation and he'll come into agreement to house them. He'll not only come into agreement, he might place before them food to refresh them.
Many people have proven this so! I have proven it so in foreign lands I went to where people received me and fed me yet we didn't know each other before.
Check through the Bible, people received strangers. Abraham did. Even Lot did and we ourselves have been encouraged not to stop the entertaining of strangers lest we miss angels (and our blessings to be delivered by them) - emphasis mine!
Hebrews 13:2, KJV
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
You see, people of old didn't count it a great cost to be open to strangers. Nowadays, we might need the Holy Spirit's impression on who to agree with considering there are many wolves in sheep's clothing.
If you take a vow not to entertain strangers, then you'll miss missionaries and many that are God sent. That way, you'll be contributing to the suffering of those God called and sent somewhere to start something for Him who He promised their needs would be met by the indigenes there.
Jesus then says, "in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give...don't go from house to house"
Note this, "such things as they give you..."
It means the disciples are not to decide what would be given to them. Whatever they place before them as food is what Jesus says they should make do with.
Did you see the humbleness of ministry? If you're picky or you cannot condescend, you cannot even go on missions. That's what we're saying. You'll need contentment to go with whatever offer made you. Someone who's proud, haughty or has his eyes on bigger options cannot take that. Someone who's looking for Chicken Republic or McDonald in every place cannot be sent somewhere to pioneer a work for kingdom sake. He won't be able to make do with what is available there.
If they say, there's no saloon or spar here, she might burst into tears and begin to accuse her husband of bringing her somewhere to suffer her. She'll be like the Israelites who accused Moses of bringing them into the wilderness to kill them instead of letting them alone in Egypt where they have every good thing (as they supposed). Exodus 14:11-12, 16:3, Num. 14:12
Again, it means the disciples can't come with, "I'm sorry, I don't eat shawa fish. I only eat titus". No! Even if it is pork that is served, that's what they'll eat. They have no option or choice in this matter.
If you get where there's no toilet, you'll have to humble yourself to poo in the wild. You'll have to dig the earth and do it there. Facing such peculiarity shouldn't lead you to beginning to think of home, your father's house or one privilege you left behind.
It's for the sake of Christ and the gospel and there's a high reward attached to that. You have to consider yourself suffering for Christ and His kingdom sake.
What principle can we draw from there? Ministers who have been called and sent by God must be ready to live simply and adapt or adjust themselves to whatsoever living conditions that comes their way. Those who are exotic cannot do ministry, especially the ministry of moving wheels or missions. If you're used to city life and the many infrastructures and goodies it offers, you may have to condescend to adapt to a rural life which is still, slow, quieter and rustic. If you're very far from a gas station, you may need to learn how to use firewood (fuel) for cooking. That may be suffering but it's for Christ. There should be nothing too big to yield for Christ's sake.
Therefore, you cannot have a wife or daughter or son who's saying, "daddy, I cannot take this or that".
If that's still what God is offering or providing, teach them to receive it with thanksgiving. It'll nourish their bodies and bless them.
This is unlike what we see nowadays. Ministers are preaching, "I cannot be poor!" They are saying, "I'm not an after thought!" They are shouting, "I eat the best!".
Not always bro. Ask any founder or those God called and sent somewhere if there was no time they faced hunger, lack or appropriateness or moderation of provision.
It is this unbalanced or error filled teaching for which many ministers are being probed for financial misappropriation currently. That's why there are more robbers speaking into the mic and opening the Bible than any time now. Why? How? They are men of wild appetite who cannot be satisfied with what comes their way in its measured state. So, they're now fleecing the sheep to survive and preaching the 'gospel of prosperity.'
Jesus knew you only needed what to eat. You don't need luxury! If we have food and clothing (basic necessities), by these, we shall be content.
Who told you to preach or minister, you have to wear a suit always? Who told you, you cannot be content with a shirt and trousers or buba and sokoto?
It's this standard that's false that makes people chase suit in ministry as if it were anointing.
Jesus didn't say, once you get there, use your gifts to bargain for things or sell your supernatural abilities.
Say "you'll heal their long sick daughter and for that, they'll have to give you 30 pieces of silver".
Jesus rather says, "freely have you received and freely you should give" (Matt.10:8).
But despite this, Jesus recognizes they need food for their body and strength to do the mission. So, He says, "...whatsoever they set before you, eat because the labourers deserve their wages."
What's their wages? Food given them to eat! Food for their bodies!
Jesus teaches us CONTENTMENT as ministers of the gospel. It's whatever they set before them. Meaning the disciples should learn to manage.
Read through the NT, the disciples didn't have any special properties they hold dear. Even one like Barnabas, the son of encouragement sold his own landed property in order to support the ministry (Acts 4:36-37). They never held anything dear. They never anchored their lives to properties. They were ready to let go or release it. Landed properties they owned didn't dictate the location they are tied to. They rather travelled round bearing the gospel. They never came to a halt and indulged in security in a place.
This is the life we should preach. Not the life that doesn't want to lay anything down. Not the life that wants to acquire everything for itself. Ministers were so content that someone like Paul even had to engage in tent making to support himself and not be a burden to anyone. Acts 18:3, I Cor. 4:12
That Jesus told them to only stay in the house where they're accepted and provided for means He was teaching them contentment.
It's only one who's not content who'll seek to change dwelling even when he is being provided for where he is.
Ministers, just hearken to the Bible. God will provide for you. Even if your food is not elaborate, you'll be fed.
Olusola ADEJUMO,
M'Wings.
19/07/25
