Changing the World?

I recently received a letter from a family friend in the Congo. He was a doctor in the Philippines, where I am from, who left a lucrative career to be a missionary in Africa. In the letter, he described a wrenching decision that he recently had to make. His funding had decreased, prompting him to seek a university job in another African country. But it would mean a much diminished ministry in the Congo, where he and his wife pledged to serve the Lord.

It was a test of faith. “I remembered that I vowed to finish the work that God has given me in Congo. I came to realize that my faith has dwindled,” he wrote. “Instead of trusting God, I trusted more in my qualifications. In our 8-year stay in Congo, God has never left us nor forsaken us. So I wrote to the university and said that I cannot take the offer.”

I’m glad he made that choice. Would we have done the same? We who get upset by little things such as the line at Starbucks getting too long?

I can sacrifice a small amount that would otherwise be used for—let’s be honest—shopping.

There are many ministries facing dire straits like this pastor. It is easy to think that we don’t have the resources to help and someone else will take up the slack. But if not us, who? If not now, when? Our partners need to know they have Christian compatriots who will support their fight against the kingdom of darkness. They sacrifice a lot for the Lord; I can sacrifice a small amount that would otherwise be used for—let’s be honest—shopping.

Silicon Valley often talks about changing the world through technology. But it is Jesus who truly changes the world through the salvation of our souls and the renewing of our minds. He saw fit to use 12 ordinary men—the apostles—to spread the gospel to all nations. Like them, we are commanded to be a part of carrying out the Great Commission, and one simple way to do it is by extending mercy and compassion to our brothers and sisters who serve in diverse countries, often with local, satanic opposition. We can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them by supporting them prayerfully and financially.

For the upcoming Easter Sacrificial Offering, prayerfully consider how God would use you to further his global kingdom through our partners.

They are:

• A national-run NGO in the Middle East providing vocational training in rural villages, and participants have an opportunity to hear the gospel.

• New Hope Liberia, which provides for the day-today needs of the children at the Mother Comfort Orphanage.

• African Enterprise in Ghana, which rehabilitates previously-trafficked women and disciples many as they come to faith.

• A Middle East congregation that is rebuilding a church to reach out to its Muslim neighbors.

• A home for a faithful Middle Eastern pastor affiliated with Tenth.

• World Relief, which provides a Christian education to Syrian refugee children in the Middle East and hires teachers and helpers from the Syrian refugee community.

Here’s another reason to get involved:

In the face of such divine generosity, how can we not be generous ourselves?

God loves a cheerful giver and he rewards the generous. Luke 6:38 says this: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

I have found this to be true in my life, even though obedience to the word and helping our brothers and sisters are enough rewards in themselves. But it still humbles me when the Lord gives back in spades and I have to thank him for being the awesome God that he is. Dying on the cross for me is infinitely more than enough—and he adds other blessings as well. In the face of such divine generosity, how can we not be generous ourselves?

Jesus commands us in Matthew 6:19–21 not to store treasures on earth for ourselves. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We all know the folly of banking on a world that is perishing. In the end, it is meaningless.

Whatever the amount or the means, God can use us to reach the lost for His glory. Now that’s world-changing.

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