Should I give to missionary societies?


Next issue in Ayuda Pastoral (Spanish pastoral website where church leaders respond to a weekly question):

What do you think about donating to missionary societies or charitable institutions? Should we only give our offerings to the local church?

In the world of the New Testament Church there were no separate missionary societies or charitable organizations. So it is difficult to answer this question directly from the Bible. However there are some biblical principles to guide us:

  • Usually offerings should go to the local church. Naturally this was the early church practice: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Cor. 16:2 cf. Acts 2:45; 4:34-35)
  • Local church leaders are responsible for distributing funds. Elders and deacons used such funds for charitable works and missionary activities: “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29-30 cf. 2 Cor. 9:5; Acts 6:1-4).
  • It is legitimate to give to individuals and organizations. Jesus and the apostles received material help from women who supported their ministry. Luke describes such women as those who “were helping to support them out of their own means” (Luke 8:2-3). Matthew describes such women who followed Jesus to the cross as those who cared “for his needs” (Matt. 27:55). Paul also received help from Christians in Macedonia (2 Cor. 11:9).
  • By faith we decide who to give to. Whether it is to the local church, a missionary or a para-ecclesiastical organization, the giving is done believing that it is the right thing to do. Paul says, “everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23), and “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give” (2 Cor. 9:7 cf. 1 Cor. 10:31).


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