Have you ever considered how Jesus was able to minister for 3 1/2 years with no mention of Him working as a carpenter or other such vocation? He and His entourage of at least twelve disciples always had sufficiency. There is no mention of Him having to do miracles to supply their daily food and hotel accommodations. We have a few passages providing us the answer. By THE SPIRIT Mark wrote chapter 15:
40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
This word “minister” is defined as:
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to minister i.e. supply food and necessities of life
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to minister. to attend to anything, that may serve another’s interests, to minister a thing to one, to serve one or by supplying any thing
This group of women financially supported His ministry by providing whatever necessities were needed. Another example of persons supplying resources to Jesus is found in Luke chapter 19 where Jesus spoke:
29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples,
30 saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here.
31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’ ”
32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them.
33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
34 And they said, “The Lord has need of him.”
Did the owners hold back or complain about their animals being taken? I am sure Jesus knew their hearts and willingness to support the Gospel and chose them to supply this important event. A third example is found in Luke 22 when Jesus instructs the disciples concerning the Passover supper:
7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed.
8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”
10 And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters.
11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’
12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.”
13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
In all three examples the supporters were generally unnamed: the women of Galilee, the owners of the colt, and the master of the house with the guest room. Do you think FATHER blessed them for their willingness to support the Gospel? Did Jesus or His disciples have to plead with them to get them on board with the plan? No, these were all cheerful givers willing to be a part of FATHER’S plan. These givers are once again mentioned after two thousand years for their giving is not forgotten by FATHER.
Many people give based on conditions. In their hearts they ask “What’s in it for me?” when they consider giving. FATHER gave HIS Son even for those who are rejecting HIS Love to this day. As we come to give unconditionally we also reap fruit given to us unconditionally. What a blessed surprise when that fruit comes forth for it is the sweetest one could ask for!