If my ministry funding dries up, is that God's sign that I should leave the ministry?

It's a good and important question from an anonymous missionary couple.

Here's what they ask.

Pastor John, my wife and I are in our early 60s and have responded to the call of God.

We both sensed and confirmed together in his word via Isaiah 61.

We've now been on the field in the battle of human trafficking for almost three years.

Our work seems effective in programs that lead to prevention while building the localized

reputation of the local indigenous church.

Pastors once marginalized in non-Christian villages are now sought for wisdom and guidance

and viewed as important messengers.

The word is being preached and heard.

That's the very good part.

We're donor-supported missionaries and we use every means available from day one to

remain connected with our support base, blogs, newsletters, email, prayer cards, etc.

All has gone well for two years.

Then in 2017 our support dropped like a rock.

We cannot sustain the work we do and have never pressed for funds.

We've always believed we would describe our mission and let God do the compelling should

we respond to the lack of provision with the view that God is lifting his call for us

here and now.

It seems to me that there are three possible interpretations at least that these friends

could put on this season of inadequate funding and I'll mention each of them with a biblical

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