Six Reasons to Support a Missionary

1) The early Christians did it. There are many instances in the Bible where the early church worked together--partnered together--by sharing their resources and supporting one another. Take a look at Acts 2:44-45, "And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need." In Paul's letter to the Philippian church, he commends them for partnering with him in the spread of the gospel. How did they help him in his travels, without leaving their own city? Take a look at Philippians 4:10-19. The gifts the Philippian church supplied to Paul were a "sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God." 

2) It allows "their" ministry to become "our ministry". One of the biggest things "we missionaries" learn in training, but have trouble conveying to our supporters, friends, families, and congregations is the idea that a supporter is NO LESS IMPORTANT than the missionary themselves. We are a team ... and when you support a missionary, you literally join them in the ministry, making it "your ministry." How cool is that? You don't even need to leave your home town (or your house for that matter) to be a part of God's ministering work all over the world!

3) The Bible commands us. Not only does the Bible say, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ..." (Matthew 28:19), but it also contains an abundance of verses about sharing, giving, and helping those in need (see for example, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Luke 12:33, and Matthew 25). One of the easiest ways to "go therefore" is to support your local missionary and by providing for them, you are extending your ministry to the nations! 

4) God blesses the cheerful, generous giver. Proverbs 11:24-25 says, "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." See also 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. God loves a cheerful giver and a cheerful giver gives great glory to God! God is the provider of all things, and though our giving may not result in long term financial rewards here on earth, God most certainly will bless our giving with earthly grace and heavenly rewards.

5) It promotes Christian unity. Is there a better display of Christian unity than when Christians across all age groups, genders, socio-economic divides, denominations, and geographic locations work together to make something happen? Romans 15:6 says, "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

6) It broadens your view of "the church". I cannot describe how much my view of the global church has changed since joining with MAF. I had no idea that a church here in Canada looks drastically different than one in Bangladesh! And at the same time, I am constantly in awe that we all worship the same God--we may have different languages and cultures, yet Jesus Christ died for us all and is the head of all our different, many-cultured churches!

7) Their (Our) work can't happen without you! I'm gonna talk shop here. I'm not the mechanic in the family, but I think a plane is a perfect example of how important missions supporters are. Every plane is held together by a number of rivets. They are small, and seemingly insignificant all by themselves, but you certainly wouldn't want to fly a plane if you knew even a few were missing! Those small rivets, working together as a team, are what keep a plane together. Likewise, every single supporter, working together as a team, are what keeps a ministry together, functioning, growing and expanding!

Finally ...

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!