Pre-field Ministry: Armor-bearers

Preconceived ideas are resilient. For the longest time, I thought God blesses the giver for the act of giving; helping someone in financial need or financially aiding a missionary was a good deed approved and blessed by God. This thought led to wrong practice. Outside of giving to our church, I had a mental category of “good deeds” containing a large range of actions. It became easy to neglect financial help, because other ways could fulfill my “good deeds.”

One day, I was talking with a friend about Philippians 4:10-20. Paul was not concerned about the money the Philippians gave him, but was concerned about their spiritual blessings. These blessings, or fruit, are increasing to their account because of their financial gift for Paul’s ministry. John takes expands the idea and uses “coworkers” for those who aid a ministry (3 John 5-8). I realized that giving to a missionary was not a good deed, but instead was increasing my influence for Christ as coworkers. Continual giving results in a continual influence and fruit in another part of the world.

This new thought caused reflection.

• Our initial travels to Japan were largely possible due to individuals who encouraged us, prayed for us, and financially gave to us. 
• The men and women who heard the gospel for the first time are fruit on the accounts of those people who gave to send us to Japan.
• God used those trips to call us to Japan, which results in more fruit on their account.
• Our additional training is possible due to individual support and represents more fruit as we put it into practice.

To this day, these individual supporters, our armor-bearers, affect our lives heavily. While armor-bearers may be an odd title to give, it comes mainly from 1 Sam 14. In this chapter, Jonathan, King Saul's son, attacks the enemy along with his armor-bearer.  While Jonathon receives the credit for the victory, God saw fit to mention the armor-bearer's help. For all eternity, everyone knows that Jonathan did not fight alone.

We cannot fight alone either. We are thankful for our armor-bearers, but we need more. We need people to pray. We need people for encouragement and accountability. We need people called by God to give financially. We need people to share in the harvest and spiritual blessings. We are all stewards of God’s money, so how is He calling you to use it?

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Phil 4:10-20 -  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

3 John 5-8 -  Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become coworkers for the truth.