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The Missionary and MoneyLiving as a missionary and needing money can be interesting. I'll never forget the anger and energy that some well intentioned "brother" rebuked me with when I had this scripture as part of my sig file (a sig file is a signature file at the end of an email that contains your name and other information like a website, phone, url, etc.) "But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth . . . " Duet 8:18 He was so upset that I would apply this to making money, and was convinced the scripture wasn't addressing material things. This verse is very straightforwardly talking about material wealth, and I would encourage you to look at it for yourself. I share this story to relate how dysfunctional the church often is in regards to money. Although I offer this page not as a Bible Study, this will be the closest to a sermon you will get on this web site on support raising. Of course we should be careful and always ask God to examine our hearts. I've known many men of God, some good friends and comrades that have forsaken the high callings on their lives to follow money: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13 (side note: There is a free eBook on my missions web site regarding "Why Good Men Fail" - which addresses this topic and others. -
Johnson Family Missions)
We know that money isn't evil, it is the LOVE of money that will ensnare us. Money is just a resource. Many of the great things we are called to in ministry will require great resources including MONEY. There is nothing noble or spiritual about want or poverty - in fact the Bible clearly tells us that poverty is a curse. I look at it this way: Truth sets free. Scientists discovered the truth about aerodynamics and thus airplanes are able to fly. It doesn't matter if you are a Christian, Hindu, or atheist, the principles of aerodynamics work for all of us as we fly around the world. The same is true for principles that lead to financial blessings. My definition of blessing is simply to have the resources to fulfill the call of God on my life. So in addition to the page on Barriers, I wanted to convey some principles for you to consider the truth that is in them, so that you may cooperate with them to see a greater blessing from Jesus in your life and ministry. Researchers have shown that these principles are understood and followed by the vast majority of millionaires. If you want to learn something - go to those who are successful! These are principles that I have gleaned from the many books, seminars, and materials (Christian and "secular") that I have studied and practiced through the years. (At the bottom are links and some suggested resources.) So, I submit the following thoughts to you for further consideration and study, not intending to replace YOUR personal study of the whole counsel of the Word of God. I'll give you my conclusion now: Even though there has been bad theology and abuses at both ends of the spectrum in understanding wealth and the Kingdom, I believe the Lord desires to bless us with everything that we need to fulfill our calling and destiny, including money. "...give me neither poverty nor riches..." Proverbs 30:8 The Lord is looking for faithful servants who will acquire wealth and allow it to flow through them into the Kingdom. Avoiding money or being poor is no more spiritual than hoarding it and spending it on worldly pleasures. Can you be trusted by the Lord for incredible riches to flow through your life? "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" Luke 16:11
Principles of Money for the Missionary1. Desire: The first characteristic noted regarding the wealthy is very simple - they want and chose to be wealthy. This of course lines up with scripture: "You do not have, because you do not ask God." James 4:2b. Fatalism is not a Christian principle, although I hear it from some - it sounds like this: "If God wants to bless me with (a blessing), He will put it in my life." If we desire any blessing of the Lord (health, good relationships, etc.) we need to seek Him and the principles He put in place to enjoy them.2. Responsibility and Accountability: The second characteristic of the wealthy is that they know where their money is coming from, and where it is going. This goes beyond just simple budgeting, which most Christians are weak at even that! Those successful with money usually can account for every dollar - but not in a greedy way! We as missionaries would applaud any emphasis on good stewardship, but do we budget and account for our spending? Is it paradoxical that the wealthy can account for their massive cash flow, but many poor missionaries couldn't tell you how they spent their meager support last month? 3. 80/20: The third characteristic of the wealthy is that they live on less than they take in. Despite stereotypes of the rich, studies show that most do two things that the average person does not do: a. They take a portion of their income and invest it. b. They take a portion of their income and give into charity. The 80/20 rule is a good one to guide you. Live on 80% of what you take in - whether that be much or little. Take 10% and invest it. Take 10% and give it away to worthy causes. Of course, for us missionaries, by far the most worthy cause are those that are involved in building the Kingdom of God. 10% is a guideline - start there. The Old Covenant law of tithing was simply a foreshadowing of the New Covenant believers who would give everything to the Lord - only personally keeping what they would need to fulfill their destiny. 4. Power of Compounding Interest: The fourth characteristic found among the financially successful is that they have interest working for them, rather than against them. Simple. Get out of debt, and save and invest. Easily said, but few do it. Like many aspects of our cultures, the Christian does not often differentiate from the culture they are from. Credit Card debt is especially counter-productive to financial success. Although borrowing and lending are clearly not anti-Biblical, it seems that Jesus modeled and taught us a debt free life would be a high calling to aspire to: 8 Let no debt remain outstanding . . ." Romans 13:8 5. Freedom & Giftings: The fifth characteristic noted among the financially free is they have multiple streams of income. The Lord desires us to use our gifts and talents to advance the Kingdom of God, and to provide income for our family. "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." Proverbs 22:29 The Word of God teaches us that the Lord desires to reward diligent and creative work. I'm sure there are others, but this is what I have gleaned through many years of personal struggle and study. These principles are of course for the Christian to be added to a life and devotion and discipline before Jesus. But as stated, many of His followers do not understand the truths about these things and regrettably thwart all the Lord has for them. Here are some books for further study, you can go to my on-line store to order them:
BookWise
"The Millionaire Next Door" Thomas J.Stanley & William D. Danko "Multiple Streams Of Income Robert G. Allen I've greatly benefited from these seminars:
Klemmer & Associates
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