"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). Over the centuries since Jesus first spoke these words to His disciples, the Great Commission has been the catalyst that has challenged thousands of men and women to leave the comforts of their own homes and homelands in order to spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the world. Of all of our Lord’s callings, being called to be a missionary is one of the most challenging.¹ So much so that those who have been called into the mission field must not be encumbered with unnecessary burdens if they hope to be successful.

God Supplies

We know that God was speaking truth when He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah and said, "For I know the plans that I have for you . . . plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Paul, writing to the oppressed church in Rome, said, "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29). This means that God does not make mistakes. If He has called people into missions ministry, then He has not changed His mind. As such, He will lead in the direction He wants them to go and He will provide as He guides. It was Charles Finney, the 19th century American revivalist, who said, "God supplies where He guides. Where He does not supply, He does not guide." This truth that was so real to Finney has not changed. It still holds true today. He will supply where He guides—without borrowing.

If people knowingly violate biblical principles, it cannot be honorable to God, no matter how noble the purpose. God would not direct anyone to violate His Word to accomplish His work.² The principle of surety says that we’re not to borrow against unknown contingency—such as the unknown of missionary work. God will provide his servants with all the money necessary to do anything He has called them to do. Borrowing should never play a part in doing His work or accepting His call.

Many who have had a burning desire to go into missions work and know without a doubt that they have been called feel that borrowing to attend a seminary or mission’s preparation school is their only alternative to secure the training needed. However, the principle of borrowing does not depend on how or where the money is used. If money is borrowed, it must be repaid. Borrowing to attend a seminary or mission’s school is certainly not a sin; however, by borrowing, God’s plan for provision very well could be circumvented.

Many called missionaries have finished the seminary or missions school only to find that they couldn’t be used of God because of the enormous debt they had incurred while getting the education they needed to do the work that the Lord had called them to do. Sometimes it takes many years for them to get out of debt before they are able to go where God wants them. If attending a seminary or a missions training school is a need and if God has truly called, He will provide the funds without borrowing. "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

The Primary Hindrance

Scripture very clearly says that neither borrowing nor lending is prohibited, but firm guidelines are given. Borrowing is discouraged and, in fact, every biblical reference to it is a negative one. "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave" (Proverb 22:7). The scriptural guideline for borrowing is very clear. Money borrowed is always accompanied by a promise to repay.³ Literally, borrowing is making a vow. God requires that we keep our vows, which means that those called to be missionaries must not leave for the mission field unless they are debt-free and they have fully paid what is owed (see Psalm 37:21).

The reason many called servants of the Lord are not able to claim God’s promises is because they are not willing to meet His prerequisites. First John 3:21-22 explains that God will answer our prayers when we do the things that are pleasing in His sight and keep His commandments. Few scriptural principles are clearer than that of keeping our vows—literally keeping our word both to God and to others. "It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay" (Ecclesiastes 5:5).

A vow can be defined as "an earnest promise or pledge that binds one to perform in a certain manner." The term appears many places in the Bible to refer to a promise or pledge, and the emphasis is that such promises are binding. "You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God, what you have promised" (Deuteronomy 23:23). That means that when we give our word to do something, we are obligated to do it—this includes debt and money borrowed.⁴ Whether the money borrowed was for living expenses, school, missions training, auto expenses, or to buy a plane ticket to travel to a mission’s destination, all debts (vows) must be paid in full before God’s work can be honored.

"The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives" (Psalm 37:21) The validity of vows made must be determined by individual relationships with God. If those who are called to the mission field say they trust God, they must be willing to defend that declaration by honoring their vows—regardless! Knowing that a commitment is a vow, those called to be missionaries should make it a practice not to commit to anything without praying about it first, make every effort to become debt free before launching into the new ministry, and commit to not borrow.

Conclusion

God calls hundreds of men and women into the mission field yearly. Many cannot accept the challenge because they are too encumbered with personal debt and they feel an obligation before God to honor the debt, but many more dishonor God and their own personal witness and go anyway, leaving the debt behind and in the hands of the creditors.⁵ Before accepting God’s missions call, all debts must be paid, regardless of circumstances or how long it takes. "The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is gracious and gives" (Psalm 37:21).

God’s timetable for ministry should not be short-circuited by borrowing and becoming indebted. If God has called, He will supply all the funds that will be necessary to accomplish His work, and He will continue to supply those needs as long as His will and purpose is being honored and for as long as He intends for that particular missions ministry effort to continue.

¹ www.gospelcom.net/oci/qual.htm

² Larry Burkett, Answers to your Family’s Financial Questions, Living Books, 1996, p. 129

³ Larry Burkett, Principles Under Scrutiny, Borrowing: A Biblical Perspective, Christian Financial Concepts, 1985

⁴ Larry Burkett, Principles Under Scrutiny, Keeping a Vow, Christian Financial Concepts, 1985