Relevant passages

• Acts 11:21-23 – “they sent Barnabas”
• Acts 13:1-3 – “teachers … they sent them”
• Acts 14:26-28 – “commended … they began to report”
• Acts 15:1-3 – “sent on their way by the church”
• I Corinthians 9:1-18 – “get their living from the gospel”
• I Corinthians 14 – “for edification”
• II Corinthians 11:7-9 – “I robbed other churches”
• Philippians 1:3-5; 4:14-18 – “participation in the gospel”
• I Thessalonians 1:6-10 – “sounded forth from you”

Observations

• The gospel was taught.

  • Local churches in the New Testament were focused entirely on teaching God’s Word – not general personal improvement.

• The money was sent directly to the preacher.

  • This was simple and effective. No bureaucracy or hierarchy needed.

  • Modern sponsoring churches have corrupted this simple arrangement. There is no scriptural authority for this.