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School of Money

10. Raising Support
Will you raise funds or raise friends?


3,000 free pages      
 

In Your Bible Read This
Philippians 1

Here Is Your Memory Verse
I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of
Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out
for my deliverance. Philippians 1.19

Afterwards Talk About This
The value of friendship and what it means to you. Do you have any
close friends? If not ask for them in prayer and given time
you will see what God does for you.

Something To Do Before Next Time
Why don`t each of you arrange a meeting at your home to invite your friends
and explain to them over drinks and snacks what God is saying to you and
what you hope to do with your life. Raise friends not funds,
don’t even mention money.

Written Diploma Work
Practice writing a one page news letter to tell your friends and your
church what you are doing. Say what it is and why. Tell them where you
are going, when and who with. Say how you are going to reach your
goal and what the expenses will be.

Meditate On These Verses
Job 16, 20-21

Spend a Minute to Change the World
Pray For The Pacific - 28,000,000 pop’n, 1,533 peoples
75% Christian, in decline, a few remaining unreached tribes


 

Be sure to teach this lesson to others.
Always pray and prepare well adding
your own verses and stories to bring it to life.

 

To respond to the call of God and enter the Great Commission you will have to find a way of living, working or being supported in your missionary ministry. Some Western people may be supported by their home church, but they would be the exception in these days as most of the missionary manpower is being raised up from the poorer parts of Europe and in the developing world countries of South America, Africa and Asia where financial support is difficult to find.

See The Kingdom Economy Section

This will help everyone in the developing world churches to find faith for finances and lots of ideas of how to move forward in the Great Commission.

 

What Happens If Your Church Cannot Support You?

This is not unusual even in the West where missionary vision is in decline at the moment. Do not worry if the leaders have to say no to you. There are other ways, which are even more effective and a greater blessing than just receiving a cheque each month from the church treasurer.

What Happens If Your Church Cannot Support You?

This is not unusual even in the West where missionary vision is in decline at the moment. Do not worry if the leaders have to say no to you. There are other ways, which are even more effective and a greater blessing than just receiving a cheque each month from the church treasurer.

People Need People.

If all you do is raise funds then all you get is money to spend. If you raise friends instead, you will also get their love, their prayers, their advice and wisdom and their friendship for the years ahead, which is a priceless blessing. There are many times when money alone is of little value. Read about Paul’s precious partners in Philippians 1.

Lessons From God In Nature
For example, imagine a tree growing strong and upright. Don't you know that just below the surface it has generated a whole network of far-reaching roots that provide stability and nourishment for it. Let the north wind blow, or the monsoon pour down, our tree stands.

Nature’s Expert In Networking
Now look at a spider. Just look at the intricate web that it is giving so much attention to. The spider lives in the centre of numerous, outstretched diligently woven spokes which stabilise its home and catch food for it to eat. Let the wind blow, our spider will still be there tomorrow morning, comfortably digesting the last meal to be caught!

Raising Friends Not Just Funds

Missionary ministry needs to be two-way traffic with you at that point where the two roads meet. Ministry to the unreached peoples is very important but never forget to minister back to the people who make your work possible. It often happens that the people who support missions work would love to go themselves but cannot because of family commitments, age or infirmity. You are their hands, feet and lips and they would love to see what you see, hear what you hear and feel what you feel. Always make sure they do.

Supporters Need Support As Well
Not everyone who supports you will have a live, caring active church and pastor. It could be that the only person who prays for them and cares about them is you. Be sure to live up to your responsibility before the Lord.

Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You
If you will sow seeds of kindness, concern and generosity then that is the harvest that you will reap. Little gifts and postcards make all the difference, especially to house bound people.

Someone, Somewhere Is Waiting To Hear From You
You cannot give too much attention to communication. These days everyone seems to be in such a hurry and no one has time to give and receive news. Don’t you be like that. Send a picture postcard with a few lines. Send a news letter regularly and don’t forget Christmas and birthdays. Use the post, the phone which is often cheap at weekends and at night, use faxes, e-mail, messengers and any way open to you to stay in touch and say thank you to your friends who support you.

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus
It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of your friends. A group of six or maybe a dozen is worth more to you that whole congregations who have forgotten your name by the next day. But behind every one is the grace of God, and it is upon him alone that you must depend with a disciplined holy life of prayer, faith and trust in his promises.

Where Do You Start?

First, actually make a start, remembering that signs follow you but rarely come before you act in faith. Mark 16.17.

Let The People Know
Remember the raising of Lazarus? Jesus did the miracle but many people were involved in that day. Personally visit family, and the friends God puts along your path to explain your vision and ask for their faith and prayers. God may well prompt them to ask you about support then or later on but be their friend and ask for their friendship before you involve money. When they do give to you, always be very, very thankful. They are the grace of God to you.

Know Your Facts, Make A Budget
Divide your need to make your goal more manageable. For example 10,000 pesetas a month is just 10 people each giving 1,000 pesetas monthly. You can easily talk about 1,000 pesetas but 10,000 might make you shy.

Watch Out For Your Jugular !
The enemy loves to squeeze the jugular vein of finances because he knows that if he does life slows down. Watch out for his attacks and never, ever give in to his temptations to manipulate stories or people, or to be lax in your own giving. He may tempt you to compromise your call or integrity to get money, or to take people for granted because they have money. Stay close to God, forgive all who do not help you, and always make your friends your VIP’s.

 

To Close Pray for the World's Most Unreached Peoples by Name
 
Taken from the Joshua Project Unreached Peoples List these people have no church and as yet no cell, church or mission has committed themselves to prayer, adoption or church planting among this people.

China

People Name

Language

Population

Wunai

Bunu, Wunai

13,000

Yang Huang

T'en

20,000

Younuo

Bunu, Younuo

13,000

Yung-Chuun

Yongchun

12,000