Seven Reasons to partner with a missionary

Here are seven biblical answers to the question, “Why should I partner by giving to a missionary’s ministry?”

7. Because we’re called to be generous. God is infinitely more generous than any of us. We’re called to grow more like Him daily. Paul instructed Titus to have the Cretan believers support missionaries because they needed to learn to be generous (Titus 3:13-14). Giving to missionaries is a biblical avenue for generosity.

6. Because it’s giving to God. In Numbers 18, God instructed His people to give to Him and provide for the Levites. Paul cites this as the reason people under the new covenant should give to God by giving to missionaries in 1 Corinthians 9.

5. Because it takes you to the ends of the earth. Most if not all of our disciple-making work is local. Yet we are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18), and Acts 1:8 tells us to put an equal priority on Jerusalem and the ends of the earth. But how can you impact the ends of the earth? 3 John 8 tells us: By giving to missionaries.

4. Because it helps align your heart with God’s heart. We know God is not willing that any should perish, and desires that all people have the opportunity to know Him. This is clearly on His heart throughout the Bible. So how do we keep that on our hearts? Matthew 6:21 tells us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. So give to missionaries who serve Him so all can hear.

3. Because it’s good for you. The Philippians gave generously and repeatedly to Paul’s missionary ministry, and he encouraged them to keep giving for their own sake. “I seek the fruit that abounds to your account,” he wrote in Philippians 4:17. Giving to missionaries in good for you.

2. Because they need your partnership. Normally, people who receive a good or service pay for it, providing a living for the people who provide it. But the gift of salvation is free. Missionaries can’t charge for their work. That’s why, in God’s model, believers give to provide for missionaries (Romans 10:15; Luke 10:7). Your giving is their living.

1. Because giving to missionaries is biblical. The New Testament says more about giving to missionaries than about any other type of giving. 3 John 8 spells it out, though translation issues often obscure the meaning: We have a responsibility to meet the needs of missionaries. God’s Word tells us to give missionaries.

For further study: All these Bible passages refer to giving to missionaries: Matthew 10:7-10; Mark 6:7-11; Luke 10:1-16; Acts 15:3; Romans 10:13-15; 15:23-24; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14; 16:6-11; 2 Corinthians 1:16; Philippians; Titus 3:13-14; 3 John