Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. – Luke 8:1-3 (ESV)
Having developed a support team for my 5 ½ years on campus staff at Mizzou, having received support from my home church for my 3 years in seminary, and now being currently supported by the giving at a local church, this passage may mean a bit more to me that to some other people. Here is the support team for Jesus and the Twelve – women who had been affected by Christ’s ministry. Being supported really puts your life in perspective; people give so that you can more freely do the work of the Lord. The people that were (and are) a part of my various support structures have been very generous people who did not have extraordinary means. Christian ministry is not done through influencing the particularly rich (even if Chuza had some money, how much control did Joanna have over her family finances anyway), but through the provision of God.
So this one is a shout out to all my brothers and sisters who are raising support, who are maintaining support, or who are a part of a Christian ministry funded by giving – Jesus knows and He is faithful.
