Kingdom Economy

I want to write to you about something that's close to the heart of following Jesus: generous giving. Not the kind that's about obligation or show, but the kind that's transformative, life-giving, and rooted in love. Imagine a world where our giving truly lifts the burdened, empowers the disciple-maker, and builds God's kingdom without the weight of unnecessary structures. These are the steps that GEN (Global Ekklesia Network) and Genesis (local expression in my hometown) are moving toward. Let's dive in.

In the early church, generous giving wasn't about funding grand institutions; it was about meeting real, human needs. Picture this: believers selling possessions to ensure no one among them lacked anything (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35). It was radical, voluntary, and driven by compassion. Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 8, urging the church to give out of abundance to help those in scarcity: "Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it." This wasn't a tax or a tithe enforced by law— it was grace in action, ensuring widows, orphans, and the poor were cared for (James 1:27).

Now, what about supporting leaders like the apostles? They were indeed provided for, but not as salaried, full-time pastors in the modern sense. Paul, for instance, often worked as a tentmaker to support himself (Acts 18:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:9), refusing to burden new disciples and groups that were started. Yet, he gratefully received gifts from the Ekklesia to aid his travels and ministry (Philippians 4:14-18). These offerings came from multiple small house churches—or what we might call micro-ekklesia groups—scattered across regions like Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia Minor. It was decentralized support: no single mega-congregation footing the bill, but a network of intimate, relational groups pooling resources modestly. This model kept the focus outward—on evangelism and aid—rather than inward on maintenance. Giving fueled mission, not overhead.

This New Testament pattern inspires us: generosity flows to the needy, leaders are sustained humbly through shared networks, and Kingdom communities(ekklesia) multiply organically in homes and communities.

Fast-forward to the 18th and 19th centuries in America, where Methodist circuit riders embodied a similar spirit. These were itinerant Gospel planters, like modern-day apostles on horseback, traveling vast circuits of 200-500 miles to plant and nurture small faith communities in frontier towns. Their financial model? Remarkably simple and sacrificial. Riders received an annual salary——plus basic provisions like food and lodging from the homes they visited. Support came from voluntary offerings by the scattered groups they served, much like the New Testament's micro-ekklesia.

This low-cost approach allowed Methodism to explode: by the mid-1800s, it became one of America's largest denominations, with riders planting thousands of “churches” without heavy infrastructure. Giving went straight to mission—evangelism, aid for the poor, and basic leader support—rather than salaries or buildings. It was practical: riders lived frugally, relied on hospitality, and focused on multiplying disciples in natural networks of families and neighbors.

Now, let's look at a vibrant model unfolding today: Disciple Making Movements (DMM). These are rapid, multiplying networks of believers, often in unreached or persecuted areas, where ordinary people make disciples who make disciples—leading to house churches that grow exponentially. DMM's financial model is brilliantly simple, sustainable, and scalable: no paid clergy, no buildings, minimal admin. Leaders are bi-vocational, like Paul, working jobs while training others in small groups. Giving is local and need-based: offerings support immediate community needs, like helping the poor or funding simple outreach, with any surplus shared across the movement's networks.

In places like India, Africa, and the Middle East, DMM has sparked thousands of groups with overhead near zero. It's decentralized: resources flow through relational chains, empowering locals rather than building hierarchies. This mirrors the New Testament—generosity helps the needy directly, sustains apostolic catalysts and relies on God's provision through everyday believers.

Now, contrast these with many churches today. Studies show that 70-80% of tithes and offerings given in worship services often go to staff salaries, building maintenance, and administrative costs. Staff alone can eat up 45-60%, with buildings and admin adding 20-30% more. That's money from faithful givers—intended for kingdom work—tied up in mortgages, utilities, and payroll. While some is necessary, this centralized, institutional model often leaves just 20-30% for outreach, missions, and direct aid to the poor, widows, and needy. It's a far cry from the New Testament's outward focus or the circuit riders' lean efficiency.

Why does this happen? We've shifted from multiplying micro-groups to sustaining mega-structures. But friends, this isn't inevitable—it's a paradigm we can change.

How do we move forward? By embracing decentralization, multiplication, and relational networks. Here's a practical roadmap to flip the script, reducing overhead to 10-20% and freeing 80-90% for needs and mission:

1. Multiply Micro-Ekklesia in Natural Networks. Start small groups in homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods—your natural relationships. Train every believer to disciple others, like DMM. No buildings needed; overhead drops to near zero. Redirect giving to local needs first.

2. Adopt Bi-Vocational Leadership. Follow Paul's example and circuit riders—supported across a network of groups instead of one local congregation. Cap "staff" costs at 10%-20%, focusing on equipping volunteers for ministry.

3. Decentralize Giving and Decision Making. Use tech for transparent, peer-to-peer giving apps where funds go directly to verified needs ( a widow's rent or orphan care). Set church-wide policies: 80% of offerings to aid/mission, 10-20% to minimal admin (shared online tools, no fancy offices, DMM circuit riders).

4. Phase Out Heavy Infrastructure. Sell or repurpose buildings for community hubs ( food banks, recovery centers) or business as mission revenue streams. Transition to hybrid models: large gatherings occasionally or weekly but daily life in multiplying house groups. This cuts maintenance costs.

5. Measure and Celebrate Impact. Track not attendance, but lives changed—disciples made, needy helped. Share stories to inspire more generous, targeted giving.

This shift isn't easy, but it's biblical and proven. By multiplying in networks, we empower everyday disciples, help the poor directly, and reduce reliance on government services. Imagine churches funding local food programs, job training, and widow support—instead of outsourcing to welfare systems.
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Friends, the New Testament, circuit riders, and DMM show us: generous giving thrives when it's decentralized, relational, and need-focused. We can change—starting today in our own circles. Commit to one step: form a micro-group, give directly to a need, or advocate for leaner church budgets. Together, we'll see a movement where the poor are lifted, widows cherished, and God's kingdom multiplies. May we be generous not out of duty, but delight—echoing Christ's love.