Is it wrong to use our own supplies or money to advance Jesus’ mission? (Matthew 10:9–10)
Matthew 10:9: Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
Matthew 10:1 - 42
NKJV - 1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother.
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Asked January 18 2023
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Anonymous
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Mark Vestal
Supporter
Christ's earthly ministry was given directly to the 12 apostles of Jesus while living on Earth for Israel (Matthew 10:6, Matthew 15:24, John 4:22). The Great Commission of the 12 apostles for their promised earthly kingdom never began as national Israel never accepted Christ as their Messiah, and their kingdom never came. Matthew 10:1-6 is specific: "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Believers in our gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), during today's dispensation of God's grace (Ephesians 3:2), are to give as our heart desires (2 Corinthians 9:7). Give what you want cheerfully and not under any burden. You will find today's instructions in Romans through Philemon as given to our apostle Paul from Christ ascended into Heaven (Ephesians 3:7, Colossians 1:25).
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
No, it is NOT wrong to use our own supplies or money to advance Jesus’ mission. In fact, it is SO right! The New Testament churches were repeatedly urged to support those who served them (1 Ti 5:17-18). --See more at Quest Study Bible (Matthew 10:9-20). 1 Timothy 5:17–18 in the ESV. which is the English Standard Version, encouraged Timothy to financially support their ministers. 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
Jeremy Volland
Supporter
It is important to remember that these words were said to a specific group of people for a specific time. To these same people he later says: (35) And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. (36) Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke 22:35-36) God's will for us takes into account our needs to accomplish that will. In Matthew 10 God would be supplying their needs as they went, while in Luke 22 God provided their needs beforehand so that they could take it with them. Sometimes we need to step out on faith before we see our needs met, and other times we need to accept God's help before even setting out. In either case, we need to be constantly seeking out the will of God in our life and be constantly remembering that every opportunity and blessing that comes our way might be God preparing us for some future plan.
Justin Hale
Supporter
Jesus gives us two separate and distinct sets of commands on how we should use or access resources based on whether we are operating under 'commission of heaven' or living under a 'secular' power. The first set of commands is given in Luke 9:1-6. The parallel set of commands is given in Luke 22:36-38. When 'under commission' from Christ's holy government, we have GOD's military protection and do not need deadly armaments. We exist inside of a system of total provision and do not need money. We also have our own separate 'health care' system supported by healing abilities distinct from the rest of the world. If we are not experiencing these 'exceptional' signs and forms of manifested wisdom, then we are under the 'parallel' set of commands. Inside that regime, GOD uses secular authorities to instruct men in divine lessons, (Romans 13:1). In effect, Jesus commands us to be 'well moneyed and armed,' even giving us the famous proportion 'two in every twelve' as the number of deadly arms we will need to protect the brethren from harm by evil forces, (Luke 22:38). This proportion later became the standard of the holy Christian knighthood and eventually even the basis of America's 'right to bear arms.' You will still find today that danger and death increase proportionately for everyone the further we get away from having 'two among twelve' to deter evil from its otherwise inevitable violence. While the first scenario of 'divine commission' is obviously ideal as the Holy Spirit describes through the apostle Paul with us all 'ruling as kings' (1 Corinthians 4:8, that is, as the 'servant kings' described by Christ, Luke 22:25-26), because the world would be FAR better off; we must not 'pretend' that we are already reigning in this way when we are not. Nor should we expect 'secular' powers to be trustworthy to successfully emulate these abilities, because they are evil and cannot truly ever be trusted to do it. So yes, an obedient Christian living in the present era should be 'well moneyed and armed' (or at least under the protection of fellow brothers who are), and yes, we should be using our own personal resources to further the economic strength, health and salvation of all men, 'especially those who believe,' (1 Timothy 4:10).
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