For those in 'faith' work . . .
Watchman Nee, a Chinese author and pastor who died in 1972 after 20 years in Communist prison, has this
advice for those in faith-supported work:
"If a man can trust God, let him go and work for Him. If not, let him stay at home, for he lacks the first qualification for the work. There is an idea prevalent that if a worker has a settled income he can be more at
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leisure for the work and consequently will do it better, but as a matter of fact, in spiritual work there is need for an unsettled income, because that necessitates intimate fellowship with God, constant clear revelation of His will, and direct divine support.
"In worldly business all a worker needs by way of equipment is will and talent, but human zeal and natural gift are no equipment for spiritual service. Utter dependence on God is necessary if the work is to be according to His will; therefore God wishes His workers to be cast on Him alone for financial supplies, so that they cannot but walk in close communion with Him and learn to trust Him continually. The more an attitude of trustful dependence on God is cultivated, the more spiritual the work will be. So it is clear that the nature of the work and the source of its supply are closely related.
"Further, he who holds the purse holds authority. If we are supported by men our work will be controlled by men. It is only to be expected that if we receive an income from a certain source, we should have to account for our doings to such a source. Whenever our trust is in men, our work cannot but be influenced by men.
"In His own work God must have the sole direction. That is why He wishes us to depend on no human source for financial supplies.
"We have no 'Board' behind us, but we have a 'Rock' beneath us and no one standing on this Rock will ever be put to shame. Men and circumstances may change, but we shall carry on in a steady course if our reliance is on God. All the silver and the gold are His, and none who walk in His will can ever come to want.
"Because of our proneness to look at the bucket and forget the fountain, God has frequently to change His means of supply to keep our eyes fixed on the source. So the heavens that before sent us welcome showers become as brass, the streams that refreshed us are allowed to dry up, and the ravens that brought our daily food visit us no longer; but then God surprises us by meeting our needs through a poor widow, and so we prove the marvelous resources of God. "
Watchman Nee
(Chapter 8, The Normal Christian Church Life)
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