This is the basic introduction to Biblical principles of finance as applied to missions giving.

1. Missions and Money
Partially adapted from Missions and Money
Jonathan Bonk
Dr. Robert Patton
Missionary to Suriname,
South America

2. Bonk – Basic concepts
 Western missionaries are wealthy in
contrast to those around them in most
contexts overseas
 The Bible talks to the wealthy – and
although the missionary is not wealthy
in the USA, he is in his target country,
and the Bible speaks to him

3. Basic concepts
 Gross economic inequality in those with
close social proximity may bring a lot of
trouble
 Christian faith is not lived in isolation.
It is a relational faith lived out in
relational and social context

4. Basic concepts: Missionary
adaptation
 Some just associate with their social
and cultural equals
 Some shift the debate to dependency
 Some have a simple lifestyle but still
maintain their benefits of medical care,
transportation, etc.
 Some live incarnationally, giving up
privilege and living as nationals

5. Another alternative
 Live as the righteous rich – giving
generously to meet the needs of those
less fortunate

6. The problem is increasing
 The difference in lifestyle 100 or 200
years ago was perhaps 3:1 between the
poor and the rich
 The difference now may be as high as
70:1
 Mostly it is the Catholic priests or nuns
who have lived in the slums in an
incarnational living style

7. Wrong attitudes of
missionaries
 19th century – this discrepancy was
considered inevitable because of the
superiority of the western missionary
and his culture
 Considered providential = white man’s
burden
 Many felt colonialism was God’s way to
spread the gospel.

8. Wrong attitude of superiority
 British felt that they had an empire because
they had the best Christianity
 They felt that the power of the gospel was
shown in adopting western ideas
 This was largely rejected after World War I &
II. Now largely secular science, education,
technology is seen as superior
 Britain & Europe – declining Christianity

9. Rationale for missionary
affluence
 Economic – cheapest missionaries are those
who stay longest on the field – need proper
food and housing. In fact, missionary
mortality is now like pastors in the USA
 31% withdraw from ill health
 15 % withdraw from death

10. Rationale for missionary
affluence
 Economic – cheapest missionaries are those
who stay longest on the field – need proper
food and housing. In fact, missionary
mortality is now like pastors in the USA
 31% withdraw from ill health
 15 % withdraw from death

11. Rationale for missionary
affluence
 Care of family – especially education for
the children
 Social – fit into cultural expectations
 Strategic – funds needed for things like
education

12. Relational costs of missionary
affluence
 Missionaries may be isolated from the
trials of others – teaching nationals to
trust the Lord
 Social isolation – partly because of the
USA love of independence
 Economic disparity may lead to sense of
superiority and special privileges

13. Relational costs…
 Affluence causes a social gulf, especially
in close relationships
 Affluence can lead to distrust
 Affluence can lead to envy and hostility,
especially from those that do the same
work

14. Strategic costs
 Missionaries may depend on expensive
technology appropriate only for a
western culture
 It may be difficult for nationals to
maintain such technology in the
absence of the missionary
 Discrepancy may make partnership
more difficult

15. Strategic costs
 Affluence may result in strategies which
may not effectively reach the poor

16. Theological issues
 Can a secure missionary teach about
simplicity, generosity, contentment and
the sacrifice in discipleship?
 What about the sin of greed – both in
the missionary and the poor.
 Some believe the west is driven by
greed, avarice, gluttony, envy, luxury,
and pride…

17. The Bible and wealth
 I Tim. 6:[8] And having food and
raiment let us be therewith content.
[9] But they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown
men in destruction and perdition.

18. The Bible and wealth
 I Tim. 6: [5] Perverse disputings of
men of corrupt minds, and destitute of
the truth, supposing that gain is
godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
[6] But godliness with contentment is
great gain.[7] For we brought nothing
into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out.

19. The Bible and wealth
 I Tim. 6: [10] For the love of money
is the root of all evil: which while
some coveted after, they have
erred from the faith, and pierced
themselves through with many
sorrows.[11] But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness.

20. What about dependency on
God and prayer?
 Deut 6: [11] And houses full of all good
things, which thou filledst not, and wells
digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards
and olive trees, which thou plantedst not;
when thou shalt have eaten and be
full;[12] Then beware lest thou forget the
LORD, which brought thee forth out of the
land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

21. What about dependency on
God and prayer?
 Deut 8:[10] When thou hast eaten and art
full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God
for the good land which he hath given
thee.[11] Beware that thou forget not the
LORD thy God, in not keeping his command-
ments, and his judgments, and his statutes,
which I command thee this day:

22. This was satan’s attitude in
the king of Tyre
 Ezekiel 28:[4] With thy wisdom and
with thine understanding thou hast
gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold
and silver into thy treasures:[5] By thy
great wisdom and by thy traffick hast
thou increased thy riches, and thine
heart is lifted up because of thy riches:

23. True incarnation and the cross
 Renounce: status, independence, and
immunity
 Trevor Verryn: “Only the truly strong
are able to lay aside their power in an
act of self-emptying and assume a
position of powerlessness.”

24. Summary of problems
 Preoccupation with possessions
 Reliance upon power-based status and
strategy
 Double standards of ethics
 Remember – missionaries are teachers,
and will be judged more strictly
according to James 3:1

25. It is true that
 Sometimes the rich are righteous – Job,
Abraham, Isaac, Joseph of Aramathea,
Nicodemus
 Sometimes the poor are to blame for
their poverty – Solomon looking at a
broken down farm
 Private property is OK

26. But
 A man’s life does not consist of the
abundance of his possessions
 Wealth does not bring happiness
 The year of Jubilee prevented the
indefinite accumulation of money
 The sabbatical year cared for the poor
and animals

27. But…
 Loans with no interest, and collateral
was only temporary
 Gleaning was to leave things for the
poor
 Debts cancelled every 7 years
 Employees were paid promptly

28. Spiritual dangers with wealth
and prosperity
 We may feel that we can safely ignore or
forget God – we don’t need him. See Deut.
8:1-20
 We may have a false sense of security:
 Proverbs 18:[11] The rich man's wealth is his
strong city, and as an high wall in his own
conceit.[12] Before destruction the heart of
man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

29. Wealth and security can be
enemies of humility
 Jeremiah 9:[23] Thus saith the LORD, Let not
the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let
the mighty man glory in his might, let not the
rich man glory in his riches:[24] But let him
that glorieth glory in this, that he understand-
eth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD
which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and
righteousness, in the earth: for in these things
I delight, saith the LORD.

30. Wealth can…
 Distort our judgment. Proverbs 28:[11]
The rich man is wise in his own conceit;
but the poor that hath understanding
searcheth him out.

31. Wealth can…
 Interfere with our repentance: Isaiah
22:[12] And in that day did the Lord
GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to
mourning, and to baldness, and to
girding with sackcloth:[13] And behold
joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and
killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking
wine: let us eat and drink; for to
morrow we shall die.

32. Wealth can lead to
 Overindulgence
 Glutton
 Greed
 Abuse of personal power by mistreating
the weak and contempt for the poor.
See Solomon and Rehoboam misusing
the people; Ahab murdering Naboth…

33. Wealthy have bad priorities
 In Isaiah 5:7-23, the prophet describes
how the wealthy are eager for the
sabbath to finish so that they can get
back to making money.
 They mix up evil and good, darkness
and light
 The western world calls greed, gluttony
and covetousness virtues!

34. Godliness and contentment
are great gain….
 In their trip through the wilderness,
Israel often had limited but adequate
food, and barely enough water. Yet
when they complained, God said that
they would not enter into His rest
(Psalm 95:10-11)
 Some compromise their message to
please the rich – not prophetic voice

35. Often in the OT, wealth and
prosperity come to the evil
 Brutality, disobedience, injustice often
occur. Egyptian wealth was built on
slavery. Canaan was wealthy but
immoral. Sodom was wealthy but
corrupt.
 See Psalm 37, where the psalmist
struggles but sees the future…

36. The rich may fail to help the
poor like they should
 Lazarus and the rich man
 The tithes for the poor
 Don’t glean your fields again but leave
them for the poor

37. it is possible to have too much
as well as too little
 Proverbs 30:[8] Remove far from me
vanity and lies: give me neither poverty
nor riches; feed me with food
convenient for me:[9] Lest I be full,
and deny thee, and say, Who is the
LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and
take the name of my God in vain.

38. Personal gain first = spiritual
bankruptcy
 Lot – wanted to keep all the best land
for himself. His later life was a total
disaster, and he lost what he wanted
 Eli – thought of his belly and his boys
more than God’s honor

39. God aligns Himself
consistently with the poor
 Israel vs. Egypt
 Jesus not only came for the poor but
came as one of the poor
 God is against those who oppress
or even neglect the poor: Job 31:16-
28

40. True righteousness
 Obedience is concerned with the needs
of the poor
 Not simply religious rites or pious platitudes
 A good example is Nehemiah when the poor
were oppressed. He forced the rich to return
lands and release slaves. The opposite
occurred in Judah during Nebuchadnessar’s
seige – they did it, and then reverted back…

41. True giving to God
 Something we genuinely value, not just our
surplus or discards. Example of Mary anointing
Jesus. Jn. 12:[3] Then took Mary a pound
of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and
anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his
feet with her hair: and the house was
filled with the odour of the ointment.

42. True giving to God
 [4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas
Iscariot, Simon's son, which should
betray him,[5] Why was not this ointment
sold for three hundred pence, and given
to the poor?[6] This he said, not that he
cared for the poor; but because he was a
thief, and had the bag, and bare what
was put therein.

43. True giving to God
 [7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone:
against the day of my burying hath she
kept this.[8] For the poor always ye have
with you; but me ye have not always.

44. True giving to God
 Malachi 1:6-14 shows that they were giving
second class offerings, and God was not
impressed. Human rulers would not be
impressed, and He is a GREAT God who
deserves great offerings…[6] A son
honoureth his father, and a servant his
master: if then I be a father, where is
mine honour? and if I be a master,
where is my fear?

45. True giving to God
 Malachi 1:6b saith the LORD of hosts
unto you, O priests, that despise my
name. And ye say, Wherein have we
despised thy name?[7] Ye offer
polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye
say, Wherein have we polluted thee?
In that ye say, The table of the LORD is
contemptible.

46. True economic repentance
 Is costly and most people, including
religious ones, do not repent. They will
usually do away with the preacher and find
another who is easier on their lives
 The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel
have much to say about economic justice, but
the people rejected their message

47. Goods and money and
security are not top values
 Mt. 6:[19] Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal:[20] But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor
steal:[21] For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.

48. What is truly important
 Phil. 3:[7] But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ.[8] Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and do
count them but dung, that I may win
Christ,

49. What is truly important
 Phil. 3:[7] But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ.[8] Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and do
count them but dung, that I may win
Christ,

50. Paul, the man for one thing
 Phil. 3:[13] Brethren, I count not
myself to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are
before,[14] I press toward the
mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus

51. Sharing possessions is a NT
virtue
 James 3:[14] What doth it profit, my
brethren, though a man say he hath
faith, and have not works? can faith
save him?[15] If a brother or sister be
naked, and destitute of daily food,….

52. Sharing possessions is a NT
virtue
 James 3:[16] And one of you say unto
them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed
and filled; notwithstanding ye give
them not those things which are
needful to the body; what doth it
profit?[17] Even so faith, if it hath
not works, is dead, being alone.

53. A surprising contrast
 Wealth and prosperity are often a sign of
greed, and poverty and hardship may be
the result of obedience to God
 Wealth often is associated with mistreatment
of the poor, preoccupation with self, and
spiritual impotence. Zacheus was unrighteous
but wealthy, but repented and gave much of
his fortune away

54. Luke 6:
 [20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples,
and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is
the kingdom of God.[21] Blessed are ye
that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed
are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.[22]
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and
when they shall separate you from their
company, and shall reproach you, and cast out
your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

55. Luke 6:
 [23] Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy:
for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for
in the like manner did their fathers unto the
prophets.[24] But woe unto you that are
rich! for ye have received your
consolation.[25] Woe unto you that are full!
for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh
now! for ye shall mourn and weep.[26] Woe
unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!
for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

56. Remember the contrast
 The rich young ruler was lost: Mt. 19:23]
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I
say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly
enter into the kingdom of heaven.[24]
And again I say unto you, It is easier for
a camel to go through the eye of a
needle, than for a rich man to enter into
the kingdom of God.

57. Remember the contrast
 The rich young ruler was lost: Mt.
19:25] When his disciples heard it, they
were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who
then can be saved?[26] But Jesus
beheld them, and said unto them, With
men this is impossible; but with God all
things are possible.

58. Luke 12
 [29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of
doubtful mind.[30] For all these things
do the nations of the world seek after:
and your Father knoweth that ye have
need of these things.[31] But rather
seek ye the kingdom of God; and all
these things shall be added unto you.

59. Luke 12
 [32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.[33] Sell that ye have, and
give alms; provide yourselves bags
which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief
approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
[34] For where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also.