“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

It’s clear from scripture that the Lord commands his followers to go. This ‘going’ can take different forms. All of us who have had the privilege of being brought into the Kingdom of God through the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, want to share this blessing with others. “Missions is an extension of the church to the world.”

Some are called to ‘go’ by giving and enabling others to go, because without the givers there are no goers. Mission requires a delicate partnership between givers and goers who both have an equally vital role to play.

There is enormous blessing to be found in giving to mission. 

In 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 we see that although the Macedonian churches were poor, they were also filled with abundant joy, and this joy overflowed with rich generosity towards the believers in Jerusalem. They were blessed, and the Jerusalem church was blessed. In the same way, the generosity of those who support missionaries blesses both the giver and the receiver; both parties are blessed in enabling the Good News of Jesus to be shared with people who have not heard about him.

The blessings are numerous. Through deep and reciprocal relationships with missionaries, partners can get a virtual first-hand look at life on the field. Church members will inevitably grow in their understanding of sacrifice, service and faithfulness as they share in the experiences of the missionaries, such as navigating a new language, administrative system, road rules, eating habits and cultural norms.

May, a long-time ECM supporter, says she was taught the importance of giving to mission at a young age, as she had an older brother and sister who were missionaries in Chad, Africa. May says her giving has taken on different forms depending on her stage in life. At one time she minded children for busy mothers and gave the money she earnt to Christians in ministry; another time she did housework for those who needed it. May makes a good point that giving to missions can look different depending on your situation in life. It might look like hosting a missions prayer event in your home, showing hospitality to missionaries while on home assignment or even lending them your car. (My husband and I were able to bless some returning missionaries with a few items of excess furniture, after they had to return unexpectedly from the mission field).

Now in a nursing home, May still gives to missions electronically, trusting that the money will be used wisely, to further the cause of Christ in the world. She says “to be given an opportunity to be a part of his work is humbling and a joy.”

Romans 10:14-15: “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (NLT)

God has established this symbiotic relationship to be a blessing to both parties involved. For the missionary, it is often a vital step of confirmation and a test of faith as they trust in the Lord to provide. Having to ask for money is difficult for most missionaries, as expressed by ECM missionary in Spain, James Webb:

“It’s quite awkward asking people for finances…it’s a very humbling process having to be reliant on people. However, it’s amazing to see how generous people are and often those we don’t expect to give. There is a little old lady from my home church in England who prays for us regularly and gives abundantly and it is so humbling to know she’s providing for us here. We always try to remind people that they’re partnering with us through their prayers and their giving…they’re just as involved with mission work as we are because we couldn’t be there otherwise.”

Through prayer and financial support, God’s people at home can vicariously experience and share in the life of missionaries, tangibly affecting the outcome and productivity of their labours through intercession. 

Giving to mission must also be continually renewed in light of 2 Corinthians 8:7…

‘“But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

Over time our circumstances and needs change and we need to always assess our giving levels in light of our financial circumstances and the needs we are confronted with. Sometimes missionaries on the field may need extra money for practical needs such as a house or car. We need to be prepared at times to give above and beyond what we give regularly so that we can be able to help when those times arise.

Most of all however, we must remember that we worship a God who is all sufficient and doesn’t need us to build his Kingdom. In fact, when Paul rejoiced in the Philippians' generosity towards him, he didn’t want them to think he was rejoicing because they had met his need, “I am not saying this because I am in need” Phil 4:11. He wanted them to know that he had learned contentment in every circumstance, whether living in plenty or in want. He trusted that the Lord would meet his needs. The blessing of giving is primarily for the giver. We know that the Lord is winning the world to himself through the work of missions, and he will always provide. The Psalmist says “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” Psalm 37:25. The question is not ‘Will God provide?’ but ‘Will I get involved? Will I be one of the hands used as part of his provision?

Please pray…

• That God’s people would give generously to mission work throughout Europe that the gospel might go out where there is less access and fewer resources.

• Please pray that the Lord would meet the financial needs of ECM missionaries. 

• Please pray that the Lord would open the eyes of his people so that they may know the grace of giving for God’s glory.

Sam Boog is communications and media trained and has a particular passion for the gospel needs of Europe. She lives in western NSW with her husband and four daughters.

Feature image by Kathryn Taylor Photography