What perspective should I take towards raising prayer and financial support?
Is there any way other than begging for support?
How do I raise prayer and financial support?
» more related questionsQ: How can I minimize debt while in school?
A: Borrow as little as possible.
Borrowing money is not prohibited by Scripture, but it is discouraged. The borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). Christians should not be slaves to anyone, and a healthy goal for all Christians is to live debt-free in order to serve the Lord and give their tithes and offerings with joy and abandon.
Therefore, borrowing should be entered into with great caution, with a plan to borrow as little as possible and to begin repayment with the first dollar earned.
Money should be borrowed for needs only, not for wants. The best way to differentiate is to live on a budget and to buy only budgeted items.
Christians borrowing money, especially those called to serve on the mission field, should live a missionary lifestyle from the beginning. They should realize that our significance is derived from who we are in Christ, and not from what we own, whether or not we have the trendiest clothing, the most sought after designer labels.
A caution about short-term missions: Summer missions are an effective way to be exposed to the needs of the world and to ascertain God's call on our lives. But one or two of these experiences is all the affirmation that should be necessary. When one adds up the cost of the missions experience (money should never be borrowed to do short-term missions) and the loss of income and savings, it is plain to see that short term missions are expensive. After a few affirming experiences, students should work and save during summers and other vacations in order to borrow less.
Apply for scholarships. Comb the lists of available scholarships in the registrar's or student aid office to exhaust all possibilities of student aid.
Avoid unsubsidized educational loans unless there is no possible alternative. HEAL loans, PLUS loans and some Stafford loans are very expensive in that they charge points and charge interest from the day money is borrowed. At the end of each year, the accumulated interest is capitalized and this plunges one deeper in debt.
Seek counsel on financial management from Godly counselors.
If one is called to a career in medical missions, be aware of the availability of Project MedSend, These educational loan repayment grants are for qualified applicants who have borrowed carefully, lived restrained lifestyles and begun to repay at the first opportunity. Project MedSend provides financial counsel and has resources available that will help health professionals-in-training or pre-health students learn more about Christian financial management.
Therefore, borrowing should be entered into with great caution, with a plan to borrow as little as possible and to begin repayment with the first dollar earned.
Money should be borrowed for needs only, not for wants. The best way to differentiate is to live on a budget and to buy only budgeted items.
Christians borrowing money, especially those called to serve on the mission field, should live a missionary lifestyle from the beginning. They should realize that our significance is derived from who we are in Christ, and not from what we own, whether or not we have the trendiest clothing, the most sought after designer labels.
A caution about short-term missions: Summer missions are an effective way to be exposed to the needs of the world and to ascertain God's call on our lives. But one or two of these experiences is all the affirmation that should be necessary. When one adds up the cost of the missions experience (money should never be borrowed to do short-term missions) and the loss of income and savings, it is plain to see that short term missions are expensive. After a few affirming experiences, students should work and save during summers and other vacations in order to borrow less.
Apply for scholarships. Comb the lists of available scholarships in the registrar's or student aid office to exhaust all possibilities of student aid.
Avoid unsubsidized educational loans unless there is no possible alternative. HEAL loans, PLUS loans and some Stafford loans are very expensive in that they charge points and charge interest from the day money is borrowed. At the end of each year, the accumulated interest is capitalized and this plunges one deeper in debt.
Seek counsel on financial management from Godly counselors.
If one is called to a career in medical missions, be aware of the availability of Project MedSend, These educational loan repayment grants are for qualified applicants who have borrowed carefully, lived restrained lifestyles and begun to repay at the first opportunity. Project MedSend provides financial counsel and has resources available that will help health professionals-in-training or pre-health students learn more about Christian financial management.
A: Work part-time and study half-time.
I am in favor of pre-field missionary training, but I am not in favor of large debt. One practical consideration is to study half speed and be gainfully employed at the same time to pay the school bill as it occurs. This gives time for assimilation, application and practice in the use of the information and training being received before one goes abroad. This should not be a frustrating process. After all, if training is God's will for the missionary candidate, then the development of character through fiscal responsibility and responsible debt payment is also a part of His training program.
A: Receive financial support during your education.
I believe that to the extent possible, every church in America should support at least one seminary or Bible College student with exactly the same commitment they do a missionary or any other ministry. I also happen to believe that more Christian families should pray about becoming personally involved in helping to train somebody to minister in areas where they cannot go themselves.
Most ministries, and some missionaries, have the ability to let their needs be known. But in reality, the average seminary student has a very difficult time, or even fear, about speaking out about their own needs. Christians shouldn't be beggars, but on the other hand, God's Word does not prohibit the asking or the letting a need be known -- as best I can tell. If all Christians in America were totally attuned to the Holy Spirit, and could sense every need of God's people, then these students would never have to ask for help. God depends on those who are attuned to support those who have needs.
Note: This is excerpted from Larry's radio show February 3, 1999.
Most ministries, and some missionaries, have the ability to let their needs be known. But in reality, the average seminary student has a very difficult time, or even fear, about speaking out about their own needs. Christians shouldn't be beggars, but on the other hand, God's Word does not prohibit the asking or the letting a need be known -- as best I can tell. If all Christians in America were totally attuned to the Holy Spirit, and could sense every need of God's people, then these students would never have to ask for help. God depends on those who are attuned to support those who have needs.
Note: This is excerpted from Larry's radio show February 3, 1999.
