FRIDAY October 25, 2019
Supporting Missionaries
But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
1 Samuel 30:23-25
David instructed his men to help them to recognize that it was the Lord who had blessed them with the spoils. He had returned to them the captives and given them back everything else! David wanted them to understand that those who stayed behind were just as important as those who had gone into the battle.
What David taught his men is a perfect picture of what happens in missions. Churches support missionaries. They pray and give to support those who go out into the battle––the mission field. They are not separate from the body of Jesus Christ. We are together in the battle. There are those who are called to go on the mission field and others who people stay behind who support them. It is important that we understand we share equally in the harvest of souls that come to the Lord.
As people are called to go out and preach the Gospel on the mission field, many people are saved. Christians who remain behind are partakers of the same fruit of the harvest of souls won to the Lord. Those who stay behind watch over the church while supporting missions financially and praying for those who are sent. We are all partnered together in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All the money needed to send and support an army of self-sacrificing, joy-spreading ambassadors is already in the church.
~John Piper~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!