Is a Church Obligated to Support Mission Work?

We typically do not comment on specific issues related to congregations. It is impossible to know all of the facts surrounding certain events, and it is impossible to know the hearts of those involved.

We can, however, address some general biblical principles. Individuals or congregations must make the appropriate application where needed.

The Great Commission Is an Obligation

In Matthew 28:19-20, the Lord instructed his disciples to:

“Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in to the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

Again, in Mark 16:15:

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.”

Similar words of Christ are recorded in Luke 24:47 and in Acts 1:8.

Christ’s commands are not unclear. The primary objective of all disciples is to spread the gospel to every human being they possibly can reach. Any resistance to fulfilling this mission hinders the cause of Christ.

The Example of the Early Church

It is important to examine this principle in the lives of the first-century church, especially as they were being guided directly by Christ through the Holy Spirit and his apostles.

We have a direct example of the mission-work principle in Acts chapter 13.

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (vv. 1-3).

Note these facts.

• A congregation of Christ’s church had been established in the city of Antioch.
• The church had an abundance of resources, namely, prophets and teachers, five of whom are named.
• These abundant resources served the spiritual needs of the congregation. They were constantly ministering (present tense).
• Also, they regularly fasted. This demonstrated, among other things, their devotion to spiritual matters. This act of self-denial fostered a spirit of selflessness and dedication.

We also observe that the Holy Spirit commanded that some of their resources be diverted to another work. It is especially interesting to note that the term “called” is in the middle voice, perfect tense. The Holy Spirit was in effect commanding the Antioch church, “I have called Baranabas and Saul for my work. Give them up so I may use them.”

Regardless of how useful these men (i.e., resources) were to the church in Antioch, the brethren faithfully obeyed.

Did the brethren wonder, “Will we be able to make it without Saul and Barnabas?” There is not the slightest hint of any such reservation. With a true spirit of faith, they gave up their self-interests, and with prayer, fasting, and aid, they sent them forth.

Thus began the first recorded mission work of Saul and Barnabas from their “home” church in Antioch to neighboring provinces around the Mediterranean Sea.

The brethren at Antioch, through their fellowship with the missionaries, obedience to Christ’s commission, and submission to the Spirit’s instructions, were instrumental in converting many souls to the Lord. While they certainly could have accomplished many great things in the city of Antioch with these men, there was an additional principle of reaching beyond themselves to reach others in distant lands.

It surely would have been a sad day had these brethren replied to the Spirit, “Not right now. We have other priorities.” A congregation with such a disposition, despite some good things they may be doing locally, is not fulfilling all that the Spirit commanded regarding his work!

However, the church in Antioch embraced the Golden Rule. As they had been blessed abundantly, they shared their resources with others when the opportunity arose. They did not hesitate. They did not need arm-twisting. They viewed this mission effort through spiritual eyes. They had faith that the Lord would provide for their needs at Antioch, even as they were providing for the needs of others.

Some Christian Principles that Apply to the Church

Here is an important point to understand. There are many spiritual principles that apply generally to the individual Christian and to the church as a whole.

The point is quite clear in Paul’s directions to the church in Corinth.

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul commands:

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of every week, let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.”

Paul, being directed by Christ, commanded that each Christian give as he or she has prospered on each Lord’s day. In this case, there was a specific purpose. Paul would be traveling through the area, taking up a collection to aid the saints living in Judea, where a famine had placed these brethren in dire need. The apostle commands this collection, so that when he came to Corinth, they would be able to contribute to this relief effort.

Thus, the general pattern of church finances suggests that Christ’s disciples should make sacrificial offerings, having been prospered by God, so that the church collectively may provide for the needs of the kingdom, at home and abroad.

The Corinthian brethren, however, neglected this obligation. They had promised to participate, but they failed to follow through.

Paul addresses this spiritual problem in 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15. These two chapters powerfully address the attitudes and actions of congregational giving. Here we find great refrains such as,

But as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

For ye yourselves know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not. For I say not this that others may be eased and ye distressed; but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality: as it is written, He that gathered much had nothing left over; and he that gathered little had no lack.

Paul tries to motivate the lethargic Corinthians to become zealous in the grace of giving, not by his command alone (since they were already ignoring his initial directive – cf. 1 Cor. 16:1-9). Rather, he tries to motivate them by the example of Christ and the benevolence of other brethren.

How can we refuse to provide what others lack in the face of the cross, especially for those who are vigorously working to expand the borders of the kingdom of Christ? Do we fail to realize that the blessings we have were not given to us for our own solitary benefit?

Our cup runneth over, not to be spilled in recklessness, nor guzzled in selfishness, nor hoarded until a “convenient season” comes along. God showers his blessings upon us so that we may have every opportunity to be generous like him.

These verses have been quoted time and again to demonstrate the individual Christian’s responsibility to give generously to the church’s treasury. And rightly so.

But Paul’s instructions here refer to the congregation as a whole, which had not made a sacrifice of giving to assist needy saints in another location.

The church remains obligated to Paul’s instructions.

Congregations have the discretion to decide which missions and needs they will support. And they ought to apply wisdom in doing so. They do not, however, have the option of adopting the attitude, “We are not helping anyone, for any need” — in actuality or in practice.

Remarkably, some congregations have an abundance yet, for some reason, go year after year without finding a worthy mission effort to support.

There are both practical and spiritual limits to what each congregation can do. Each congregation must provide a place of worship, true benevolence, and use its resources to proclaim the gospel, locally and beyond its own community.

It is a violation of a church’s charter (the New Testament) to develop unscriptural or imbalanced approaches to raising church funds. It is equally wrong to develop imbalanced or unscriptural plans of church spending.

Those who profess to love Christ will find a way to demonstrate that love to others, especially those within the household of faith. Love and concern are not simply professions made with the lips. They reflect an attitude of the heart, demonstrated through faith in action (Jas. 2:16).

Not everyone is given great abundance, but then, “it is acceptable as a man hath, not according as he hath not.” Even the widow could do something (Mk. 12:41-44).

Church leaders must recognize the value of supporting faithful evangelists in mission fields, both foreign and domestic, and act wisely whenever the opportunity arises, trusting that God will provide the ability.

That being said, the elders of a congregation may exercise their judgment in how such opportunities are presented to the congregation, with spiritual wisdom and understanding.