I am going to take a risk for this last post on the topic of “Individual Involvement in the Life of a Missionary by being quite transparent for a moment. Over the last couple of posts, I discussed how vital of a role prayer plays in the success of a missionary, and how helpful it is to have others sharing what God is doing in and through our ministry with others.
As one might expect, the last post can certainly deal with the aspect of giving. I read a wonderful blog the other day by a missionary wife that also put a wonderful perspective on that of giving. You can read it here: http://www.womenbehindthescenes.com/2014/07/21/what-missionaries-really-want-from-you/
I would like to expound on the subject in a similar perspective. One of my favorite passages in the bible is Isaiah 6, particularly verse 8. “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” We often use this verse when preaching and teaching about submission, service, and missions. I find it very interesting that God, in this passage, takes Isaiah through a progression concerning His will.
• In verses 1-4, Isaiah sees God for Who He is! God is sitting upon the throne, high and lifted up, and His train fills the temple! Praise the Lamb that we serve a Living God that is in complete control!
• In verse 5, we see that when Isaiah sees God for Who He is, it causes him to see himself for who he is. He says, “Woe is me!” “I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips.” Isaiah sees his own weakness, he sees his own failure, and most importantly he sees his own need for the Great God of Heaven in his life!
• And because Isaiah sees God for Who He is, he sees himself for who he is, he can now clearly see others for who they are! Finishing verse 5, he says, “because I have seen the Lord, I can now see the great need of others to hear about a wonderful Savior!”
Once God has Isaiah in a place spiritually where he is listening, and sensitive to His will; God lays the hammer down in verse 8! You see, the question God asks Isaiah is not; “how much will you give?” It is not; “how often will you pray?” Nor is it; “will you be more involved in your church?” The question that God poses to Isaiah is far more requiring of him! The question God asks Isaiah, and I believe He asks of you and I; “Who will GO? Who will I send? Will you give your life?”
I have found in my own life this to be true; that when I am completely and fully surrendered to God’s will, that my giving is naturally reflected in that. When I am willing to GO, I am willing to pray for others. When I am willing to GO, I am willing to serve in my local church. When I am willing to GO, there is not much else that God could ask of me that I am not already willing to do!
Please do not misunderstand me; I understand that there are certainly limitations that may play a factor in physically “going.” So the question arises, “what role can I play in GOING?” Does a dear silver saint of God have any less part in the ministry of a missionary because they cannot physically go? Absolutely NOT! We all have a part, just not the same one. This would be where our giving, our praying, our serving would be manifested through us because we are submitted to the Father, and if we were able, we would GO!
What is it that God is asking of you? We don’t have to read much of His word to know that He wants others to know of His love and grace! More than your money; although, for the work to be done it is required. More than your time; though it is great appreciated and needed. Will you give of yourself? Who will GO? So yes; the last post on individual involvement in the life of a missionary does most certainly deal with giving. However, not in the sense of financially, but rather your life!
Stephen Underwood
Acts 20:24
stephenunderwood.net
projectsouthafrica.com
Leave a Reply