When the Lord called me into discipleship and house church planting, He really disrupted many of my old assumptions about ministry and support. Traditionally, we’re used to seeing ministers supported by the congregation. But in simple/house churches, the funds are often directed first toward caring for the needy, orphans, widows, and mission work — all given freely, without coercion.

This forced me to wrestle deeply with how missions and daily needs are actually sustained. One of the clearest lessons is that we must learn to totally depend on God. When Jesus first sent out the seventy, He commanded them:

“Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals… Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages.” (Luke 10:4,7)

In that moment, the disciples had nothing but trust in God’s provision through others. Yet later, Jesus told them:

“When I sent you out without purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” (Luke 22:35–36)

This balance shows us both aspects: total dependence on God, but also wise preparation. From this comes the vision of tentmaking. Just as Paul worked with his own hands making tents (Acts 18:3), not only to support himself but also to connect with people and share the gospel, we too see economic activities as an integral part of discipleship.

Paul himself received occasional help from churches (Philippians 4:15–16), but he also modeled working with his hands to meet his own needs and those of his companions (Acts 20:34). This was never about chasing salaries but about removing obstacles to the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12).

So, in our context, we’ve been praying and encouraging leaders to start small businesses — not just for daily provision, but as bridges for relationships and witness. In this way, support is not a burden placed on the flock, but an overflow of God’s wisdom, care, and creativity in mission.

In the end, the principle we see in Scripture is that church resources were distributed “as anyone had need” (Acts 4:35). That is still our heartbeat: needs-based generosity, coupled with disciples living missionally even through their work.