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Tentmaking vs. Support Raising:
Which is the Biblical Model?
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Well….both. But sometimes they’re pitted against one another. Have you ever had someone respond to your support request by asking, “Why don’t you go out and do your ministry the biblical way?” Curious, you inquire further, and they confidently proclaim, “Well, Jesus was a carpenter and Paul was a tentmaker. They didn’t go and beg for support. They took care of themselves.”
A look at Jesus
Even though Jesus could have impressed everyone with an endless supply of instant cash, He chose to depend on God—and others—who were “contributing to their support out of their private means.” (Luke 8:1-3). If the Son of God funded his personal and ministry expenses from the ongoing support of individuals, why are we unwilling to embrace it too? He also called 12 men to leave their jobs and follow Him, even training them how to live and minister from the support of others (Luke 10:1-11).
Bottom line: Jesus chose interdependence over independence
A look at Paul
There are only three places in the New Testament where Paul made tents:
Thessalonica (2 Thess. 3:8,9)
Even though Paul spent a very short period of time with this young church, he immediately recognized them as being lazy and even using their newfound doctrine on the second coming as an excuse not to work. Apparently they had read one too many “Left Behind” books and were waiting on the rooftops—instead of out building them! Paul chose to model what it meant to work hard.
Ephesus (Acts 20: 33,34)
Paul’s ministry there moved the converts to quit buying idols of the goddess Diana. If Paul had taken money from believers there, he might have been accused of putting the myriad of heathen craftsmen out of business for personal gain. He chose to forego support for a brief time in order to win the lost.
Corinth (Acts 18:4,5)
Yes, Paul was temporarily making tents—and thus only able to preach on Sabbaths—but when Silas and Timothy arrived (with financial support) he began devoting himself “exclusively to preaching”. In 1 Cor. 9 Paul zealously defended his right to be supported by the Corinthians, but because of their immaturity (including accusing Paul of preaching for profit), he briefly chose to support himself to be “above reproach.”
Bottom line: Paul’s preferred mode of operation? Full time ministry!
Now, there are a number of nations around the world where they don’t take missionary visas, and a believer is required to work a secular job, legitimately contributing to the economy of the closed country. Even then, many of these “tentmakers” still have support teams back home to fully fund their living and ministry expenses. So, like Paul, we shouldn’t pit these two methods of support against each other, but instead, do whatever we need to get the gospel out!
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September 2005 |
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In the next issue...
Budget or Vision :
Which One Pulls your Train? |
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Paul strongly affirmed both donor and self-support, but not because he normally took donor-support and worked when needed. He practiced self-support habitually. Paul told the Thessalonians his working provided an example to imitate (2 Th. 3:8-9). He couldn’t have said this if he regularly took support. He repeated this to the elders from Ephesus where he worked longest—3 years (Ac. 20:33-34).
Paul would never have had to defend his self-support in 1 Cor. 9 if he had primarily received donor support. So the NIV translation, “When Silas and Timothy arrived…, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching,” is better translated: “Paul was occupied with preaching…” (RSV). Many other texts confirm Paul’s working for a living, but 1 Cor. 9 is pivotal:
1. The Judaizers argued Paul couldn’t be a real apostle since no church supported or endorsed him. Had he received regular support and only worked intermittently, he could easily have defended himself by clarifying this. But he couldn’t because he didn’t accept support, only a few gifts. So, he had to explain his ministry-long policy of self-support.
2. After giving the strongest argument in Scripture for donor support, Paul says three times he never used this right. (1) “Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right…,” (2) “But I have made no use of any of these rights…For I would rather die than have any one deprive me of my ground for boasting.” and finally, (3) “…I…make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right.”
Paul gives four advantages for which he chose self-support:
1. Credibility: No one can say, “You preach because you get paid to.”
2. Identification: By working, tentmakers identify with everyday people.
3. Authentication. Proving the gospel works in everyday life by integrating work and faith.
4. Reproduction. Tentmakers put in place a pattern of “lay” leadership—of everyday Christians making disciples and starting house churches.
Donor support also provides advantages—time, focus, study, and flexibility. Both approaches are divinely ordained and greatly needed. “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord” (Col 3:23)
For fuller treatment see “New Millennium Missions” and “Why Did Paul Make Tents?” at http://globalopps.org/101/index.htm.
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| About the Author |
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Dave English spent two decades in student and singles ministry through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and local churches. Now, he directs the Global Opportunities ministry, seeking to mobilize and equip Christian “tentmakers” to insert themselves into nations around the world. |
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