I've been thinking a lot about missions lately. Our local church has been praying frequently for the Christians in Iraq. I also get regular emails from Voice of the Martyrs, with information about persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. And we had a guest speaker from Gospel for Asia this past Sunday.
I enjoy message t-shirts. I bought one just recently that says, "Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend hasn't met my husband". This morning, I received an email from Voice of the Martyrs. They have
started a t-shirt fundraiser to help the displaced Christians in Iraq. So as I was looking at this email, I thought that it would be fun to buy one for myself, my husband, and our oldest. And half of the proceeds go directly toward helping Iraqi Christians.
And then I was convicted. I have more t-shirts than I can wear in a week-- not including all the other shirts in my closet. And I have a nice sized house with air conditioning. I have enough food in my fridges (Yes, you read that right. Fridges, plural.) for more than a week. I have ABUNDANCE in material things. What a terrible indictment against me! I think of those Iraqis. I pray for them. But I didn't even think of giving toward their needs until someone offered me a shirt!
Dear Lord, soften my heart. Remind me that the funds at my disposal really belong to You, and have been entrusted to me for the advancement of YOUR kingdom.
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated--to say nothing of you--for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
If you want to get involved in helping our brothers and sisters in need, visit one of these ministry websites.
The Voice of the Martyrs
Gospel for Asia
No comments:
Post a Comment