I have heard a number of things recently since beginning my fundraising. I’ve gotten “Oh, wow! Good luck with all that!” “That’s a lot of money, can you really raise all that?” “Honey, God will provide, just keep believing..” “Thus is the life of a missionary, this is the reality..” “I can’t help you, but I’ll be praying!”
Now, this is not to put anyone down. I realized when I committed to the World Race that the fundraising might very well be the hardest part of the entire process, perhaps even harder than the race itself. I’ll be honest, no one likes to ask people for money, and I am for sure one of those people. I had to get help just to write my letters because I was being too nice, writing too much of “if you cannot sponsor me financially, please pray for me,” instead of just saying “I really need your help financially, would you please consider giving to my ministry?”
I’ve never raised money for a missions trip like this before. The amount of money sometimes haunts me, you can purchase a small, brand new sedan with $17,417! In those times I have to stop and say, “you know God has asked you to do this, God will make this happen, not one worry is to be given authority in your life.”
Recently, my mentor group studied Philippians. Most Christians would say, “oh yeah, such a good book, my fave verse is Philippians 4:13..” That verse is awesome, don’t get me wrong, but I had never read into chapter four much, and frequently stopped at that verse. However, we read the whole thing, and when we read it I got a whole new perspective on giving for missions.
I will start at verse 14. “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except only you; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.”
These verses really stood out to us, probably because I am currently fundraising and have experienced a lot of frustration and cold shoulders. We were amazed that one church, only one, was giving to Paul. This one church was aiding him, and they did it more than once! They probably had no idea the impact they were making when they sent finances to Paul. They didn’t even know they would make it as a shoutout in the Bible! What was most important to them was that they knew they were aiding in bringing the gospel to the unreached.
I love how Paul continues, “17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.” He is like, “yo, your giving got me through tough times,” but he remained humble, and all he wanted was for this church to receive more treasures in heaven because of their giving. He wanted them to reap what they had sowed!
“18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphrodius the gifts you sent. They are fragrant offerings, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
It’s almost cliché anymore to say that God will provide when you give, but he will! I knew a couple once who helped some people pay their rent. They gave them $750, and the very next day got a gift card from the wife’s employer. It was their yearly bonus, which the husband said was usually a couple hundred dollars. This time though it was $750! The exact amount they had given was restored back to them within 24 hours! Yay God!
I say this to be encouraging. I say this so that you will open your heart and your wallet to give to missions. I don’t say this to make you feel bad and give to me. I say this to the church entirety, that missions should always be important. Without missions this world will not come to know Jesus. Missions is close to the heart of God, and even if it is not close to your heart to go do missions in another country, we are all called to be witnesses where we are.
It is the churches job to fund our missionaries. This church that aided Paul understood that. We are called to be joyful givers. Paul said this earlier on in 2 Corinthians 9, “6 Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. 7 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. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.'”
You may say “I don’t even have enough for my tithes, how can I possibly afford to give to missions?” God is our provider, and He loves to bless us when we have made the decision to give in faith.
My challenge to you, reader, is to give to missions. Give because it is necessary, give even if you don’t think you can afford to. Give to the work of spreading the gospel to people who have never heard the name of Jesus. Give so that God can prove to you that he can use your funds to be a blessing, and that he can bless you in return. Give.
With love,
Katie Hope, Katie, Hope….whichever
P.S. So far I have received around $2,100 in funds for the World Race! Shout out to those people who have given through online donations or purchasing items I have been selling, and to Meeting Place Church in Framingham, MA, who sponsored me with their $100/month gift of $1,200! Thank you for being an example of the church that aided in Paul’s ministry!
P.S.S those people who needed help with their rent once was my sister and I. And it was more of a blessing to us that those who blessed us were blessed in return.
