Ministers focused on preaching the gospel and caring for the flocks that the Lord entrusted to them often face various problems, and one of these is their finances: how can they earn enough to support their family and shepherd their church at the same time. Most people do not realise how big a problem this is for ministers who are in fulltime ministry.

Not a small thing

Fulltime ministers need to juggle family responsibilities and church matters. This matter is no small thing: in the Old Testament, temple workers were forced to work outside because their needs weren't met. Sadly, the people who were responsible for providing for those who minister to them don't do their part.

Are you a minister who wants to earn enough to meet your family's needs without depending on your ministry? Here are a few ways to get provision, according to the Bible.

1. Contend for your provisions

The Bible promises that God will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ (see Philippians 4:19). What I am talking about is supernatural provision: contending for God's blessing, sustenance and provision as we do His will. We do this by trusting in Him as we work, and praying non-stop until the provision arrives (like Daniel's consistent prayer in Daniel 10 and Elijah's prayer for rain in 1 Kings 18:41-19:8).

The Bible gives us examples of God's servants who had their provisions met supernaturally. The Old Testament shows us Elijah, whom God fed using ravens and angels (see 1 Kings 17). The New Testament shows us Jesus' miraculously multiplying the fish and bread (see Matthew 14:13-21), as well as telling Peter to go get money from the mouth of a fish so that they can pay taxes (see Matthew 17:27). Such men of God did not depend on the ministry, but in God's provisions.

2. Tentmaking

Tentmaking is the act of working to earn an income to support one's work in ministry. The term came from the apostle Paul, who, aside from being an apostle who went around preaching the gospel and building up churches, worked also as a tent-maker to earn his provisions (see Acts 18:3). Because of this, he had money to spend without depending on the ministry.

3. Receiving gifts and donations

Lastly, ministers who serve well should learn to receive and accept gifts gratefully and wisely. People who are happy with their ministers' sincere and wholehearted service might want to give them gifts as a token of their appreciation or support. Jesus and Paul enjoyed this, and their experiences are found in the Bible (see Luke 8:1-3; Philippians 4:10-17).

Although it's not wrong to receive gifts sincerely given by people who were blessed by their ministers' wholehearted service, ministers who often receive gifts should be wise: Not all gifts come without strings attached; and there's the danger of growing used to receiving gifts enough to demand it from people.

Why 'biblically righteous'?

Friends, we should keep in mind that not all ways to earn are good and right. Ministers should always remember not to demand or extort money from the church, nor be manipulative in order to receive gifts. God sees all that we think, say, and do. Let's be godly in our ways to earn while in ministry