So we sat around the breakfast table the Senior Gomes Family in Bocaina: Papai, Mamãe, Davi, Debby and I. Another 16 people, witnessed this event, and since I was the youngest, some details might be a little bit off. Anyway, we were sitting at the table, ready to have breakfast, and the only food available was a banana cake mom baked with the last of the flour and eggs gathered that morning and a few bananas found in the yard; about a gallon of milk, and some coffee. Mom had told dad that we were out of food. Dad decided to wait upon the Lord. And he gave thanks for the breakfast, teaching us all a lesson in gratitude. Lunchtime came really quickly that day. I remember even joking with my sister about not having to wash the dishes, since we were all going to skip that meal anyway... (Oh Boy) Little did I know?
As we sat down for the next meal, starring at an empty table, dad signaled our giving hands, and started to pray. What a fool, one might have thought (really), those days were terrible!). Giving thanks for what we couldn’t see, even worse, we couldn’t eat. But God stood my father in Faith, and we all learned how awesome God is. AS Dad said his “amen”, we could hear the neighbor’s boy, Xiquinho, running up the stairway and screaming: “Pastor Lau, Pastor Lau! – An ox scratched his neck and my father needs your help, and my uncle needs you to go get meat because the bull felt an itch in his neck...” His excitement was so great that he could barely get his message across. We couldn’t make any sense of what he was saying, so we just went over to lend a helping hand... Xiquinho led the way, running and skipping over the cow pies along the narrow path. Davi and Dad were still trying to understand, when we finally got too ne of the pasture pickets, right before a place which we called, “Inferninho” (which in Portuguese means little hell) and there it was: A fully grown 1300 pound ox, which felt a sudden itch to scratch his neck, and when doing so with a forking branch, slipped and fell, breaking his neck and needing to be put out of his pain. So drawing a sharp knife, someone cut across his throat. Seu Tim, the farm’s manager explained to my father in his Italian accent ”Seu Lau, we don’t have much use for the meat, so we’ll just keep a bit of the hardest parts so we can dry it up and make some jerky.” And the rest was given to us. Dad took half of the meat to town and traded it for some dried goods, such as rice and beans and corn, also some gasoline and even money for other expenses.
Dad taught us well… Early in my parents life as a couple, and in ministry, mom and dad decided that they would not go around asking for money to finance the counseling and worldview shaping ministry of Refúgio. Rather, they would work with their hands and silently pray to God to fulfill all of our needs. And the Gomeses at large all can count the blessings seen and unseen of how to say Jehovah Jireh, my provider!
Nearly all missionaries find asking for money a daunting task and a little overwhelming. This forms a two-sided debate on whether or not missionaries should ask for money.
“Should I ask for money, or live by faith and trust that God will provide for my financial needs?”
“How are you going to have enough money to travel and live in another country while doing ministry?”
“If God has called me to be a missionary, then isn’t He going to provide the funds for me?”
These are not uncommon questions for missionaries to ask. Fundraising takes a lot of time and effort, and no one wants to be rejected or refused when they put themselves out there. Others try to live by faith while trusting that God will provide for them in their times of need.
There are many people in the Bible and throughout missionary history who trusted in God to provide not only for their financial needs but their physical needs as well. Throughout this blog, we’ll take a look at some of their stories and discover which method is Biblical.
Testimonies of Living by Faith… “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Some missionaries base their financial foundations on living by faith only but do not spend time seeking after God in prayer and asking (James 4:2b-3).
These testimonies are not only of men living by faith but men who were both friends of God, standing before the throne room with confidence, knowing that He heard their prayers.
Abraham... Abraham was a man who lived by faith and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4; Hebrews 11). When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, Abraham was distraught, but nonetheless, he obeyed God.
God saw his obedience, just as Abraham was about to kill his son, and provided a ram to be the sacrifice because of Abraham’s faith (Genesis 22:8, 13-14).
George Müller… I remember the story of George Müller, who was also a man who lived by faith, and God’s faithfulness, was shown clearly throughout his life. He built an orphanage for over two thousand orphans in Bristol, UK. When they had no money or food for the orphanages, he prayed, and God provided. George Müller said:
“There never was a time when we had no wholesome meal. During all these years I have been enabled to trust in the living God alone…No man can ever say I asked him for a penny. We have no committees, no collectors, no voting, and no endowment. All has come in answer to believing prayer. God has many ways of moving the hearts of men to help us, all over the world. While I am praying, He speaks to one and another on this continent and on that to send us help.”
Asking in Faith… Whereas some people believe that you’re not relying on God if you ask others for money, Muller gladly accepted people’s help, though he never told anyone that he was in need. You can trust in the Lord to provide for you when you ask in faith, because if the Lord has called you into ministry, then He will give you resources and a way for you to go overseas. When you get to the mission field, you’ll be able to look back and say, “Wow, look at what God has done.”
“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18
By trusting in God, you could have amazing testimonies of faith and be able to share the gospel with people in a much more effective way. Living by faith will not only stretch you in ways you can’t imagine but asking in faith will produce even greater testimonies of God’s faithfulness in answering prayer.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22
Isn’t Asking for Money a Little Blunt? Many missionaries dread fundraising because they think that they are becoming a hindrance to people and that their friends will think that they’ll always be asking for money. But you actually need support. Without people backing you up in prayer and finances, you will come off the field burnt out and ready to give up on your ministry. You’re not only trusting God to provide through these people, but you are inviting people to enter into God’s heart for missions.
Asking for money is a great step of faith. The friends you have, the family that surrounds you, the neighbors on your street, are all resources that God has provided and put in your path so that you can go and fulfill His calling that He’s placed over your life.
Many missionaries in the 1800s believed that they had to work and earn their living by a trade and then took that with them into the country they were going to be missionaries in. Others, such as Paul in the Bible, and John Williams, used their skills in a trade to provide an income and also partnered with believers to continue their ministry.
Paul-“For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher threshes in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” 1 Corinthians 9:9-11
In the context of these verses, Paul is asking the believers in Corinth if it’s wrong to reap what he sowed among them. Paul is also challenging them in their thinking about material things and finances. He reminds them that God does care for all people and that He provides for their needs through the resources He’s already given them.
Paul had invested into many of the believers of the early church and was one of God’s first missionaries full of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. He always wrote back to the believers, telling them stories of God’s faithfulness through their giving of prayers and support.
While still walking in faith for God to continue his ministry, he worked with his skills as a tentmaker or leatherworker (Acts 18:1-3), so that he could continue traveling and visiting the churches. He was also being supported by the churches; especially the Philippians (Philippians 1:3–5; 4:15-18).
Paul did everything he could to not become a burden to others (2 Corinthians 11:8–9) so that he was able to continue freely in his preaching of the gospel. He always thanked his fellow brothers for the blessings they sent, and for walking alongside him in the work God was doing (1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Colossians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4), encouraging them to continue trusting in the Lord.
John Williams…John Williams was a missionary in the South Pacific Islands who saw the need for having partners and support from people back home. He was anxious to continue his work in other people groups in neighboring islands, but the mission agency that sent him did not agree.
After combatting back and forth, the missionary agency finally agreed, and John William’s ministry became much more fruitful as he was able to go to surrounding islands and preach the gospel to even more people.
John Williams was skilled as an ironworker and a mechanic, and he built his own boat with the help of local natives and the finances sent from London. He also learned how to grow crops and live off the lands to help provide for his family. While he worked with the natives and shared the gospel with them, he translated the New Testament into Rarotongan and then taught the native believers how to disciple others in their community. The people became his partners in ministry.
God Provides Through Partners… Having partners are a blessing from the Lord. The people who support you will become partners of something much bigger than your own ministry. Not only are they becoming part of God’s plan to reach the nations, but also they will enable you to bring the gospel to people groups who can become partners of the gospel in the future. How amazing is that?
You are not failing God when you ask someone to help you. God may have put that person to help you, and you can trust that He is always providing ways for you to go on the mission field when He’s called you there. You can step out in faith through prayer (James 1:22-2:14-26), and rely on God by using the resources He’s given you to be a good steward of (Matthew 25:14-30).
In fact, you are called to live by faith and ask for money. It’s really your heart motive that God cares about. God wants you to trust Him.
Where we are… “No! This is not a request for money!” When Marcia and I got married, our income wasn’t enough for us to even begin supporting ourselves. We had help and generous gifts form my family and friends (who are family in Christ), some of them, are involved in our work even to this minute. Over twenty years, some families participate in our budget generously. Believing that our work is in the Lord, rather than charity, we have partners in life who are real supporters of our ministry, in Brazil and here in Japan. We are so very thankful to God and to you.
Me being boyish… I woke up this morning, as I usually do at 4.30, and began my chores: the first order of the day, I outline a chapter of scripture. Have it sent to over 350 people worldwide. Today’s Scripture was Philippians 4. I must admit that I was a bit irritated, for when I was studying my Bible about joy and gratitude, I thought to myself, why doesn’t God do to me like he did to the apostle Paul? (Oh Boy!) How can I be joyful in the midst of so much turbulence?
We were supposed to go renew our passports today. But we didn’t have enough money for them. I thought: ”well, the Lord will provide…” But instead, Marcia couldn’t get the day off from work, so we had to postpone our trip to the Brazilian consulate. I was upset, I do everything like clockwork, and foolishly, I thought that God was standing me up. Why? Why?
The Holy Spirit then, slowly and methodically began to work his written Word in my heart. I remembered the story of the Watchmaker, and that sometimes the watchmaker intervenes so bluntly in our way, that we cannot, and will not negate his praises and glory. I remembered the story of the itchy ox. I remembered about Debby’s bicycle in a can (I may tell this story some other day). I remembered of the time in Wyncote, I had given up babysitting, and every week I would find an envelope by my rabbit cage, with a 10-dollar allowance and the humble signature “From a friend in Jesus” (Today I know who that Godly person was). I began to thank the Lord for being my provider. A gift offering that came last week from a dear friend in Boston, with a note saying the she loves us and prays for us. A lifeline from my father, to lighten our burden, which is, no burden at all, for it is done for the Lord. I remembered the Marks and the Crosses that have been the most substantial part of our up keep. I prayed to God in gratitude of them. I wrote a little Facebook post, greeted all the birthdays on my friends’ list, read and wrote on my doctoral thesis and by one o’clock had finished all my daily chores. I needed to get some shut-eye, because when night falls, I begin my English teaching role. I had to catch some “z’s”!
When I woke up, I asked Ruth to go t the mailbox and see if there was any correspondence there (It's a missionary thing). She brought me back this envelope, and said, this one doesn’t say who it is from, instead a sticker saying it came by air mail, and in French: Par avion air International. I even joked about it, since there was a kiwi bird on the postal stamp. I said to Ruth: Kiwis don't fly, unless God tells them to… Inside, there were no words, just two neatly cut pieces of paper sandwiching the exact amount of the fees to renew our passport in Yen cash. We hadn’t told anyone about it; we didn’t ask anyone, except in our family prayer. And in that same silent prayer, we thank you, we God for you, the “person with the Kiwi bird stamp” on the envelope. You are our silent partner. I can only praise the Lord and say Jehovah Jireh, my provider, the Lord has provided for us.
In Joyful tears,
Pr. Daniel
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