Living by Faith

Living by Faith.

“Living by faith” is a common label used by those in the ministry, either locally or abroad, meaning that they have no visible means of support and simply live by trusting God. What does this really mean and do they really live by faith? When one examines the situation carefully, many insist on having their support guaranteed and pledged before entering the ministry. Then, in addition, they make sure that everyone receives regular newsletters in which their needs, desires and wants are spelt out in detail. Are they living by faith in God or faith in their supporters? It seems to me that there is more faith in man than in God. Of course the faith in man is not absolute either as many missionary agencies will insist that the missionary raise more pledges than he will require in order to cover for those who will not fulfill their obligations. Thus there is little faith in the Lord and even less in His people!

Off course I recognize that the laborer is worthy of his hire and that newsletters are important tools to keep those who support a missionary financially or in prayer informed of how things are going. But we all know when the fine line of reporting news is crossed and it becomes begging! (Oh dear here come more requests to be removed from the mailing list!). And, of course He uses people to meet the needs of His workers. But, is the Lord not able, when we make our requests known to Him alone, to place the desire on the heart of someone to meet that need without any hints being dropped? Of course He is. But the problem is we say we live by faith but those are simply nice words that actually mean “please send me money”.

I remember, as a young boy, how missionaries came from the jungles of Africa to visit the churches. I also remember very clearly how I came away from those meetings, not challenged to give money, but challenged to give myself. The purpose of church visits those days was to call laborers to the fields. Today the message is “God knows you can’t go, but you can send me by pledging your support”. When missionaries visit churches today the process is called “deputation”, meaning the churches pay the missionary and deputize him to represent them on the field. I can remember carrying a couple of tatty suitcases for an old missionary and the impression it left on me because I knew that these were all the earthly possessions of a Godly man. These were people who forsook all to follow the Master and trusted Him for every meal.

Recently I watched a TV evangelist speak about George Muller who gave away everything he ever owned, cared for thousands of orphans and often did not know where the next meal would come from. He also spoke of Hudson Taylor who gave away the fortune he inherited to serve in remote villages in China – trusting the Lord day by day. While the TV preacher was speaking his security guards and chauffeur driven limousine waited outside to whisk him to his multi-million dollar mansion. And the TV preacher’s point? He was lambasting the people for not trusting God and not giving enough since he was following in the footsteps of Muller and Taylor!

I am sure you are as sick as I am of the preachers who tell their people to trust God while they, themselves, put the squeeze on the people to give more and more to the ministry. Yes, it is true that Jesus spoke more about money than any other subject BUT He never asked for money for Himself or His ministry. Paul likewise at times starved and at others worked with his own hands rather than pressure the people into meeting his needs. He lived every day in total dependence on the One whom he served. No wonder the preaching of these people is so weak and ineffectual. If they cannot even trust God for their daily bread, how then can they trust God to change the hearts of people? What is easier? To provide the preacher with a meal or to change the heart and personality of a sinner? The second is by far much harder. If we cannot trust the Lord for a meal, then how will we trust Him to do the hardest thing on earth?

Part of this problem stems from the fact that preachers and missionaries have forgotten who they are employed by. They seem to think that the church employs them and has commissioned them, (in some cases this is true) and so they look to the church and the people to meet their needs. When something goes wrong or a need arises, the first response is to get on the internet and let everyone know that since I work in a city of movie stars, it is not a good testimony that I am driving last year’s Cadillac and that I desperately need the latest model Bentley! Whatever happened to making our requests known to God? Have we preachers forgotten Who called us and Who sent us. Did He not say “Go… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”? (Mat 28:19,20).

As I survey the detailed and fat packages that churches have to offer in order to attract a half decent preacher her in America my heart breaks. There is a saying that you get what you pay for and that is very true of the ministry. Most churches here advertise the salary and benefits they offer and they get exactly what they pay for – a hireling! Jesus was scathing about the shepherds of Israel who were simply hirelings – working for wages. The true shepherds do not need to be induced to serve through packages, retirement plans and benefits, they are compelled by the Master to serve. As Paul said: “necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1Cor 9:16)

All this does not mean that we should not support those who lay down their lives for the sheep. The true shepherds are indeed worthy of their hire and “you shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain” (1Cor 9:9). But, the church desperately needs people who will bid the Master’s call without asking: “And how much is the salary”.

Anton Bosch

anton@ifcb.net

3310 W Magnolia Blvd

Burbank, CA, 91505

Tel 818 846 5520