Self-supported missionaries are those who have a full time job in order to sustain themselves and do ministry at the same time. Most self supported missionaries go to certain countries to do professional work because proselytism of the Gospel is not legally allowed. Other self supported missionaries work part time because the church is not able to fully finance them, so they have to work as well.
Supported missionaries are those fully financed by churches or individuals. The majority of missionaries are supported directly or through mission agencies. They mostly live in places where it would be hard to make an income, even having a profession.
Should missionaries be self supported or supported?
Depending on where they are, there are places where missionaries could never be fully supported by full time work, or by the local church. Even though the whole church could tithe, it would be impossible since in some countries, people make minimum wage or less. If there is a chance for a missionary to enter a country by using their profession or some form of business investment, that would be great; but this is not the case for every missionary. Let me give you an example, I've heard people say, "If ten people give ten percent, the missionary would make the average income." If the ten people who give ten percent make minimum wage or less than minimum wage, they would be tithing between ten to thirty dollars a month, which means that the missionary would make one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars a month.
With people earning that amount, how would they survive?
Normally in countries where people earn minimum wage, they survive because they are part of a family team, which helps financially, or they have already inherited a house or apartment.
Why do missionaries ask for financial help? Why don't they work to save money for the church?
They ask for financial help because that's how most of the New Testament missionaries were sustained (Luke 8:1-3, 1 Cor 9:1-23, 2 Cor 9). They're not just asking for money, but giving the opportunity to participate in the mission work of the Gospel. I've heard people say that missionaries should work in their furlough to earn their wages. Most missionaries who come for furlough endure intense work, spiritual warfare, and are drained by being in difficult places without the comfort of fellowship.
Although some missionaries willingly work because they enjoy laboring for the gospel, much of the work they do is under-appreciated. If you think missionaries do nothing, you should read the book of Acts and potentially repent.
How long should I support a missionary?
Supporting a missionary until they can establish a church to support them can potentially be dangerous. People may not have bad intentions by thinking this, but the following should be considered:
1. Missionaries can become mentally clouded when they're concerned with raising funds for expenses along with evangelizing.
2. It's uncertain how long a missionary will need to have a self- sustaining church and there's question as to whether it's possible.
3. You can unconsciously pressure a missionary to water down the Gospel in order to bring people to church at the expense of true converts.
4. You should think outside your bubble.
In conclusion, it doesn't matter what you think, research is needed. Missionaries often have to prove the legitimacy of their needs. It's easy read a book about missions but do we really think that missionaries who take the word to other nations deserve to be judged this way? Do you feel you're wasting your money by investing it in the expansion of the Gospel?
Take a look, pray, read your bible and pray again. There is a need for the Gospel and we participate by going ourselves or by supporting the robe of those who go. Is the kingdom of God not ours also?
We may think differently about how ministry should work without having to share the Gospel with our neighbor or we can talk about the experience of battle without ever having scars but I hope the Lord gives us a sense of living in the reality of the Gospel which we profess and to honor those who spread the good news.
“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!””
Romans 10:15 NKJV
