A colleague of mind fell in love with a missionary to Africa. He had been in Africa during a time when there was a severe famine. The Lord told him that he was to give away each month 105 pounds. (British). His missionary support was only 95 pounds. But as he gave, the Lord resupplied.
Then the Lord told him to have the African leaders do the same. That they, too, were to give away their finances and be radically generous during the famine.
At the end of the famine, my friend’s boyfriend, now husband, took the African leaders aside and asked them to look around. They had just been through a famine, and yet the Lord had preserved and blessed them all beyond their means. The tighter things got, the more generous they chose to walk. And in doing that the Lord blessed and cared for them.
It’s a powerful story. And it isn’t one of just “give and you will get.” I’ve known some very generous people who were poor. They invested deeply into the kingdom of God and they didn’t see the return in this life. I’ve also seen horrific televangelists say if you give, God will bless you. It’s not that.
But there is a principle where we walk in the opposite spirit of the fears of the land. What is the fear in your area that is holding people back? Find the opposite spirit in the kingdom and walk in it.
Reading this morning on Romans a particular verse stands out.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15).
It’s the great missionary magna carta. But did you catch the beginning of verse 15? They cannot go unless they are sent.
Sent means that there are people behind the go-ers who support them financially, personally, with gifts, with encouragement, with covering, and more. Go-ers have to have senders.
We live in a time of increasing economic difficulties. Just being able to afford a place to live if you don’t own a house is rough. That is a sentiment felt throughout the world.
The first response of many churches and a lot of individuals is to stop giving to the go-ers. Missoinaries are the first to be cut because they are easiest to cut. They are far away, out there, and the ones cutting their finances don’t have to deal with the disappointment on their face in person. Typically. Also things “out there” seem less necessary then taking care of the house that is seen.
But the opposite is true. Oftentimes difficult times come because we haven’t gone to the far off places. They do not know the Word and because of there are a lot of conflicts. Real conflict. But are they to blame?
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (v. 14)
In times of distress, more than ever before the preachers, teachers, evangelists and missionaries need to be “sent.” That means they need to be provided for and empowered to go.
It takes faith to keep on giving. And there is no guaranteed promise that if you keep on giving, everything will be find and you will have an abundance of all you need.
But we need to careful of cutting off the lifeline of the gospel. In the last year I spent with a missionary in the Middle East as we shivered under blankets. Tears were streaming down her face because she did not have enough funds to pay for heat. And it was freezing. But she stays. The gospel is more important.
I met another missionary who often sleeps under bridges. She is an older, fiery, single woman who evangelizes without compromise. She is well put together and you would never know she often has to sleep under a bridge.
Missionaries are struggling to raise support in this climate. People and churches want to give to organizations these days and not individuals. But can you rethink this?
There are too many people willing to suffer and lay down their lives to go. They are not stopping or complaining even within their turmoil.
Let this postl be a voice for them.
And a challenge to you.