Basic HTML Version
Teaching and Healing
101
Self-Supporting Missionaries
In many places self-supporting missionaries can work success-
fully. It was as a self-supporting missionary that the apostle Paul
labored in spreading the knowledge of Christ throughout the world.
While daily teaching the gospel in the great cities of Asia and Eu-
rope, he wrought at the trade of a craftsman to sustain himself and
his companions. His parting words to the elders of Ephesus, showing
his manner of labor, have precious lessons for every gospel worker:
“Ye know,” he said, “after what manner I have been with you
at all seasons: ... and how I kept back nothing that was profitable
unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and
from house to house.... I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or
apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered
unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed
you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak,
and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is
more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:18-35
.
Many today, if imbued with the same spirit of self-sacrifice,
could do a good work in a similar way. Let two or more start out
together in evangelistic work. Let them visit the people, praying,
singing, teaching, explaining the Scriptures, and ministering to the
sick. Some can sustain themselves as canvassers; others, like the
apostle, can labor at some handicraft or in other lines of effort. As
[155]
they move forward in their work, realizing their helplessness, but
humbly depending upon God, they gain a blessed experience. The
Lord Jesus goes before them, and among the wealthy and the poor
they find favor and help.
Those who have been trained for medical missionary work in
foreign countries should be encouraged to go without delay where
they expect to labor, and begin work among the people, learning
the language as they work. Very soon they will be able to teach the
simple truths of God’s word.
Throughout the world, messengers of mercy are needed. There
is a call for Christian families to go into communities that are in
darkness and error, to go to foreign fields, to become acquainted
with the needs of their fellow men, and to work for the cause of the
Master. If such families would settle in the dark places of the earth,