Where To Find A "Helping Hand" - Another Scriptural Way
In the controversy over how congregations may cooperate in doing mission work we have overlooked one scriptural way that is quite effective. Without detracting from the practice of scriptural cooperation or encouraging unscriptural procedures, I want to call attention to the method used some if not most of the time by Paul in his evangelistic efforts.
Paul often worked on the basis that the best place to find a helping hand is on the end of your arm. He went into new fields and supported himself and his co-workers by making tents. (Acts 18:3) When he preached to the elders from Ephesus he declared that he had ministered to his own and his fellow workers necessities with his own hands. (Acts 20:34) He wrote similar statements to the brethren at Thessalonica. (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:13) There are disadvantages to this plan such as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:13; 11:8 9 but the fact remains that they did support themselves in missionary work.
I am not advocating something that I have not tried because for over three years until I moved to Merkel last fall, I have been working for my support at a secular job and preaching for weak churches. I know from experience that churches can grow while the preacher is spending eight hours per day on a secular job. Certainly it has its disadvantages but it will work. If we cannot afford sirloin, we are happy to get hamburger in preference to nothing. A church that does not have a man to even make a talk at the Lord's table will be happy to have a preacher in their midst to encourage and instruct them. The preacher will be more highly appreciated than he would in some of the old established churches. I'm sure that there are many small congregations in new fields where a good work could be done if a man would move there and go to work for the Lord. If anyone is interested in this and cannot find a place to go to work, I think I could put him in contact with some wonderful opportunities.
There will be some sacrifices to make in doing the Lord's work in this way. Some of the luxuries of life will have to be sacrifices. Also, there will not be time to keep up a constant stream of reports and publicity. There will be many problems to overcome as in all evangelistic work, but the rewards are gratifying. If the preacher will preach the gospel and live it and use his spare time for personal contacts, the church will probably prosper so that in a year or such matter he can quit his secular work and the church can support him.
Some who are interested might wonder what they could do to support themselves. That would depend on what they are able to do. Many have had construction experience and there is much building going on today that provides opportunity for work. Men with college education might find work in youth authority posts and have opportunity to work with delinquent youth. I worked for the California Youth Authority and rather enjoyed the work. Just remember that there is always work for willing hands.
I would like to say to the one whose heart burns for the lost, don't sit in comfort and say "somebody send me to the lost." You can be out there preaching the gospel to the lost while the brethren at home are talking about which is the most important — preaching the gospel or building a building bigger than any denomination has. It is my firm belief that the Drencher who will not go where he is needed, and support himself if necessary, is not worthy of the name gospel preacher. At the same time, the church that will not support the preaching of the gospel to the needy when they are as able as we are today, is not worthy of the name — church of the Lord.