Is it Biblical to ask for financial support for short-term mission work?
Someone I know on a private Bible Q&A forum asked this question. They’re going through a situation where knowing what the Bible says about supporting missions would be helpful.
To answer this question, I will first talk about what Biblical support looks like, and then go into whether or not short-term mission trips are Biblical.
Biblical Support
The Dorean Principle
The Dorean Principle offers a fresh look at the Bible’s guidance on ministry fundraising and exposes common practices that run afoul of its instruction.
An excellent definition of Biblical support comes from the book, The Dorean Principle. Conley Owens says the definition of Biblical support is, “Support (material or otherwise) given by man to a minister out of a sense of obligation to God, to honor or aid in the proclamation of the gospel.”
This definition is supported by Paul’s words in First Corinthians. Paul says, “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14 ESV).
Really, Conley’s definition is just a rewording of what Paul said. Support should be given…
- …out of obligation to God: “the Lord commanded.”
- …to ministers: “those who proclaim the gospel.”
- …because they preach the gospel: “should get their living by the gospel.”
So, receiving support so you can proclaim the gospel is Biblical (i.e., God approves of it).
Asking for support
Plus, it’s ok to ask for support. As an example, Paul, in 2 Corinthians 9, asks the Corinthians to continue supporting the people in Jerusalem.
John Piper says that 2 Corinthians 8-9 “is a ministry support letter.”
“The clear biblical pattern for the support of Christian ministry is to enlist Christian churches like the Corinthians to be part of it. And how to go about it, I think, is laid out about as clearly as it could be in 2 Corinthians 8–9.”
Short Term Missions
The bigger question is if short-term missions work is Biblical in the first place. But I don’t think the Bible really makes a distinction. Ministry is simply ministry. Of course, this begs the question: Is short-term missions a kind of ministry?
Andrew Case says “Christian ministry is Spirit-empowered service specifically and directly for the edification of the body of Christ.” This definition is based on passages such as 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Using this passage and others (e.g. 1 Jn. 3:17), we can know that serving others by providing spiritual teaching and physical care for members of the church is a part of Biblical ministry. Andrew also includes evangelism in this definition because it says in Ephesians, “He gave… evangelists… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12 ESV).”
Thus, if activities including teaching, physical service, and evangelism are the primary focus of a short-term missions trip, then that trip can be considered Biblical ministry.
Missions Trip Vacations
It is important to note that in today’s church culture, many short-term missions trips for young people are actually virtue-signaling vacations. People will go on these trips to feel more holy, not with the motivation to share the gospel and help those in need.
Some people may even look like they’re working hard and that they truly care when in their hearts they are doing everything out of pride.
And then there are those people who go on “ministry” trips just for fun. I mean, you get to travel somewhere new, meet cool people, and maybe even play some awesome games. But, while those things are good and enjoyable, they aren’t ministry.
I heard one person say that for many people, short-term missions trips are just a way to get other people to pay for their vacations. It’s called: voluntourism.
A Biblical Missions Trip
But not everyone on short-term missions trips are voluntourists. I know people who are doing Biblical ministry on short-term missions trips: The staff and counselors for Kokrine Hills Bible Camp (KHBC). These people pay or raise $800 so they can come to KHBC and minister to the Alaska native kids.
They watch the kids, spend time with them, care for them, and share the Good News with them in a beautiful display of God’s love. It’s only for a week. Yet it’s definitely worth it.
Many of the staff and counselors are examples of people who asked for support for a short-term mission trip in a Biblical way.
Summary
Is it Biblical to ask for financial support for short-term mission work? Absolutely. Receiving support from others to preach the Gospel is a practice that has been ordained by God. And short-term missions work can be used to minister to the church and unbelievers.
Although some people might go on these trips just to have fun or as voluntourists, there are still many others who go on missions trips with serving Christ as their number one priority.
