Friends, I feel the need to clarify something so please take a moment to hear me out.
In a previous post, I made the following comment:
“…if God does put it on your heart to give financially, don’t be discouraged that what you may have to give is too small of an amount. When we hear God and obey, it is enough! No gift is too insignificant; for all you know, your gift is exactly what is needed.”
(from: FULL, but NOT Yet Fully Funded)
This comment was in no way made to make you feel pressured or obligated to give.
I simply want to encourage you that IF God speaks to your heart about giving or gives you a desire to give financially, that you would not feel silly or inferior if you do not have much to give.
Let me put it this way, if everyone I know donates about $52 or $6/month from now until my deadline on January 1st (so, every month for 9 months), I would be fully funded AND have all of my additional financial obligations covered. Pretty easy, hey?
So in all reality, your gift is enough!
Friends, I am not seeking the gift, but rather the reward you will receive for your kindness. The Lord has taken me through some pretty trying tests of obedience when it comes to giving financially, but can I just say that He has NEVER left my side? Not once Has the Lord abandoned me or failed to provide. I have always had everything I needed. I know the difficulty in obeying when it doesn’t seem possible and I know the pain and fear of giving something you worked so hard for. But, what I also know is the freedom and joy and peace and inexplicable happiness that God gives all at once when we obey Him. This joy and peace and love that comes with obedience always far outweighs the sacrifice.
I think Paul says it best when addressing the matter with the Philippians,
“Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account].”
(Philippians 4:17)
That being said, let me be clear about this, I DO NOT WANT YOUR MONEY UNLESS God has put it on your heart to give. As Paul told the Corinthians,
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
My post was asking for prayer that God would supply all of my squad’s needs, especially financial needs, not that you would feel an obligation to supply those needs.
Some of you have responded that you cannot give, but will pray. THANK YOU! My squad mates and I are grateful. God hears our prayers. Of this I am certain.
Please know that I specifically try not to belabor the point that I need a whole heck of a lot of money for The World Race to become a reality for me.
Yes, the cost of the trip itself is $15,500.
Yes, the supplies I need cost hundreds of dollars.
Yes, I have other financial obligations that add over an additional $14,000 that will need to be provided in some way, shape or form for me to be able to join my squad in July, BUT MY GOD IS NOT POOR.
I give a financial update in most of my blog posts and have it posted on the home page of my blog for those who God has spoken to about financially supporting this cause. Many of you have asked how the funding and preparations are coming along and I want to keep you updated. In addition, who knows who God will bring to my page who He speaks to about donating to this cause?
Friends, this is not about the money. My God can provide and He will. This is about the journey and coming together as the body of Christ to reach the nations for His great name.
For some of us, that means going as I feel the call to do.
For others, that means lifting the ‘goers’ in prayer before the Father.
And for others still that means giving financially because you have been blessed to be a blessing.
Whatever you do, friends, go with God and be blessed.
