“Living Hand To Mouth”

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

When Jesus began traveling with his disciples, how did they support themselves financially?  Did others contribute?

Sincerely,
Keeping The Books

Dear Keeping The Books,

There are three ways that Jesus and His disciples were supported during His ministry.

1. Jesus was a carpenter, just like his foster father Joseph (Matt 13:55), and had worked as such in Nazareth (Mk 6:3).  Jesus didn’t begin preaching until He was thirty-years-old (Lk 3:23).  Since Jesus would have been careful with money (Pr 6:6-8) as a faithful steward (1 Cor 4:2), it is likely that He had some money saved up to live off of.
2. Jesus and His disciples lived off the hospitality of those they preached to.  Jesus even commanded His disciples to take nothing with them when they preached (Mk 6:7-10).
3. Jesus and His disciples were supported by several very faithful women.  Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others ministered to the physical needs of Jesus as He preached (Lk 8:1-3).

It just goes to show that God will always care for His people – even when it doesn’t make financial sense to serve Him (Ps 37:25-26).

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