UNDERSTANDING MISSION 7

 UNDERSTANDING MISSION 7

The need of Missionary. (1)

Financial/Economic Empowerment 


Seriously, when the life of a missionary is correct. If he has a praying father and godly authority over him. He would go a long way to succeed and be effective in his task. 


However, no missionary can be thoroughly active in his duty post without a consistent financial support. Because mission focuses mostly on area yet unreached and explored, he would expect little or no support from his immediate community. It is expedient therefore that he has a sustainable financial support if he must be active and carry out the work efficiently and without distractions. 


Most missionaries doesn't allow their wife and children stay with them at their duty post because of financial constraint. They allowed them hangout somewhere in the neighborhood and cities where they could work and get something to offset the financial demand of the family. The absence of the wife and children already opens doors for temptations and ineffectiveness in the work. He has to oscillate between two demands--the demand of the work and that of family in a far away city. 


Most missionaries engages in some other 'menial' job to cater for themselves and the people they minister to. This is good and commendable. But sometimes he may be cumbered with this 'other' job that his attention is drawn away completely and thus abandoned his original mission of bringing souls to the knowledge of Christ. 


The point I am making is this, "Soldiers on duty don't work at outside jobs. They try only to please their commanding officer" 2 Timothy 2:4 CEV. And: "Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?.." 1 Corinthians 9:7 


In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul admonished the Church in Corinth: "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." Obviously, there was a particular need to be met (collection for the saints at Jerusalem). So the church must cultivate the habit of regular saving for this purpose. 


In the epistle to the Philippians, Paul extolled the virtues of the church for the gifts offered to him and prayed deeply for them: 


"As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.  I don't say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.  At the moment I have all I need-and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:15-19


Mission to the unreached is the primary objective of the Christian Church.  And since we cannot all go, those who volunteered, leaving others things behind must be continually supported and encouraged. 


To me, the greatest church on the earth are those with unflinching support for missions. 


A missionary needed to be focussed on his job. He must be consistent in reaching out to the soul. Sometimes, he cannot take a break from his outreach station because he is to this people a master--teacher, nurse, counsellor, guardian angel. But, he can't be readily available and consistent in this work if he is not sure of financial support of the brethren. 


The books of Romans 12:13, says: 

"Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." I came across the beautiful picture of this verse in the Preacher's Commentary: 


"The resources with which we have been supplied can be the means of blessing or cursing, the instruments of good or evil. The determining factor is whether we regard our resources as our personal possessions to be used as we desire, or as gracious gifts entrusted to us to be used for God’s glory and man’s benediction.


To be aware of the needs of others, particularly the “saints,” and to fail to share is the essence of evil. Not only does it demonstrate hardness of heart but it clearly shows deficiency of understanding of the true nature of possessions..."


How faithful are you and I? 


Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA 

Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara.

WhatsApp (+229)94139130

Mobile no. +2348066540987, +2347084504532

peterrazaq@yahoo.com

Twitter & Instagram: @peterrazaq

Linkedin: Revd. Peter OLAYINKA

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