Photo by Dario Brönnimann
In the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi was uniquely set apart to serve in the temple. Unlike the other tribes, they were not given land inheritance. Instead, they were sustained through the tithes of the other Israelites (Numbers 18:21-24). Nehemiah reaffirmed this principle when he restored the people's giving so that the Levites could return to their duties (Nehemiah 13:10-13). When God's people give, God's work advances.
In the New Testament, Jesus Himself was supported by others in His earthly ministry (Luke 8:1-3), and when He sent out the seventy-two, He instructed them not to carry extra provisions for themselves, but to rely on the hospitality of those they encountered, as “the worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7).
The apostle Paul thanked the church at Philippi for sharing in his ministry—not just in prayer, but also financial gifts (Philippians 4:15-19). He saw their support as “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” Though Paul often chose to support himself as a tentmaker, he made it clear that receiving support was welcome and biblical.
The principle of God’s people supporting God’s work continues today. Full-time ministry is a valid calling supported by the wider community of believers. As Christians, we are taught to offer our tithes and offerings to the Lord so that His Kingdom on earth may be advanced through the Church and missions organisations.
Today’s missionaries and many para-church full-time workers are also part of the modern-day Levites who serve and minister in God’s Kingdom. They are called to ministry, and many have to raise their own financial support through the organisations they serve. They do so by developing a team of ministry partners who give to them and pray for them.
As Christian workers/missionaries raise financial support for their work, they are extending to others, an invitation to partner them in the missionary calling. Together, we share in the joy and fruit of advancing the Gospel and building God’s kingdom (Philippians 1:3-5).
Support raising is a faith journey for the Christian worker. We look to God for His provision, trusting that, “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, ESV). At times, it can feel awkward to talk about our needs, facing the fear of rejection and uncertainties over how these needs would be met. In this faith journey, there will be anxious moments of trusting and waiting, but His provision has always been timely, and at times, surprising.
The next time you receive an appeal for financial support from a missionary, would you prayerfully consider being part of his or her ministry? Your partnership in giving and prayer will encourage them in their calling.
As you give, I am reminded of Paul, a missionary, writing to the church at Philippi, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”– Philippians 4:19, NLT
Blessings,
Lam Kok Hiang
Leadership Mentor
旧约圣经里，利未支派从以色列十二支派中分别出来办理圣所的事。利未人不可有产业；他们的份出于以色列人的十分之一奉献(民数记18:21-24)。后来，尼希米曾确认这宗旨并重设制度，召集利未人回到圣殿里供职，指示犹太众人缴纳收成到库房，供给利未人(尼希米记13:10-13)。
来到新约圣经，主耶稣周游各城各村宣扬 神国福音的时候，有妇女以财物支援(路加福音8:1-3)。祂曾差派七十二人出去传道，吩咐他们无需自带盘缠，并由在地的义人接待他们，耶稣说：“你们要住在那家，吃喝他们所供给的，因为作工的理当得工资；不必从这家搬到那家”(路加福音10:7)。
使徒保罗曾答谢腓利比教会一直顾念他所需，与他同工、同享义果，说：“腓立比的弟兄们，你们也知道，在我传福音的初期，离开马其顿的时候，除了你们以外，我没有收过任何教会的供给。我在帖撒罗尼迦的时候，你们还是一而再把我所需用的送来。我并不求礼物，只求你们的果子不断增加，归在你们的帐上。你们所送的我都全数收到了，而且绰绰有余；我已经足够了，因我从以巴弗提收到你们所送的，好象馨香之气，是 神所接纳所喜悦的祭物。我的 神必照他在基督耶稣里荣耀的丰富，满足你们的一切需要”(腓立比书4:15-19)。
属 神的子民支持推进 神的事工，如今依然。全职事奉的呼召有赖背后一众信徒支撑。作为基督徒，我们受教将当纳的十分之一和各样美物献给上帝，藉着众教会和差传肢体，使人归主。
今天的宣教士们以及许多献身教会事工的弟兄姊妹好比利未人分别出来、为要办理 神国的事。他们蒙召服事，其中许多人藉着各自机构筹集生活费、组建一群乐意供给他们所需、为他们代祷的同伴。
当基督徒全职同工及宣教士们为某事工筹款，他们同时是在邀请您响应自己的呼召。我们若有幸能一路与推展 神国与福音的事工有份，后来必与他们同享所结的果实(腓立比书1:3-5)。
对同工们而言，筹集同伴和资金是一段熬炼信心的旅程。我们仰望 神会按时供给，相信“那呼召你们的是信实的，祂必成就这事”(帖撒罗尼迦前书5:24)。或许谈及我们的各样需要会令人尴尬，基于一方面害怕被拒绝，另一方面无法确定欠缺的部分能否补足。如此信心旅程必然有焦虑和信靠等候之间的徘徊，但是祂的供应总是及时，时而令人欣喜万分。
如果您的宣教士弟兄或姊妹寻求帮助，您愿不愿意为他们代祷、考虑参与一份呢？您的代祷和奉献都将鼓舞这些同工们。
对于一路与我们风雨同舟的事工伙伴们，容我借使徒保罗对腓利比教会的一段话与您共勉之：“我的 神必照他在基督耶稣里荣耀的丰富，满足你们的一切需要”(腓立比书4:19)。
愿 神祝福您,
蓝国贤
会务导师
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