My husband and I recently read Revelution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannon. It is a fantastic book. . . a must read for anyone contemplating mission work. I also just finished God's Smugglers by Brother Andrew with David and Elizabeth Sherrill. This is also a must read for anyone going into the mission field. . . I might even dare say it is a must read for any Christian. Period. Both books portray the life of men called into the mission field, one from India in the mid '60s and the other from Holland in the early '50s. In these books, both men share their stories of how they came to be called into the mission field and how God empowered and enabled them to be about His will of bringing His Word to nations where they had never even heard the name "Jesus" or the Communist countries of Europe and Asia. In God's Smugglers, it is amazing to read how God allowed certain events to come together in Brother Andrew's life to open doors of opportunity that were seemingly impossible. Of course, verses such as Philippians 4:13 and Romans 8:28 remind us that these tiny (sometimes down right huge) miracles were not mere coincidences, rather the works of the hands of Almighty God!
In the 4th chapter of Revelution in the World of Missions, K.P. Yohannon talks about one of his first trips to the U.S. I will be completely honest and tell you that it was difficult to read this chapter, for me. Cody and I don't live a glamorous lifestyle. In fact, when we were first engaged, Cody once told me that even if we ever became millionnaires he wanted to live a simple life and give most of our money to mission work or whatever else God sees fit. (I know what you are thinking, and yes this is one of the reasons I married this man). 
Growing up in two households that didn't have a lot of money (or just a bunch of kids), I know what it is like to go without the things you really desire or nice things. Don't get me wrong, my siblings and I never went without. We always had what we needed, plus toys to keep us busy all day, we just never had the opportunity to "keep up with the Joneses". (FYI: I am very pleased with my childhood. I do not feel that my siblings and I have/are missing out on normal childhoods. We just learned to appreciate what we did have. I feel that I had a very fulfilling childhood. . . thanks Dad and Mom!) However, reading through Yohannon's impression of America left me feeling embarrassed, ungrateful, and spoiled. The thing that hit me the hardest was his account of a missionary and his family living in indigineous India, witnessing to the natives there and giving everything they could to the ministry. Yohannon explains that this family survived on very little food, even with young children in the house. They would keep the door and windows closed and covered so that people outside the home wouldn't hear their children crying from hunger. They didn't want the natives to know about their situation for fear that it would scare them away from their new found faith. Yohannon poses the question: "Is it God's fault that men like Brother Paulose are going hungry? I do not think so. God has provided more than enough money to meet the needs of the Two-Thirds World. The needed money is in the highly developed nations of the West. North American Christians alone, without much sacrifice, can meet all the needs of the churches in the Two-Thirds World."
Ouch!
The thought of us, North American Christians "hogging" all of the Lord's money hurts doesn't it? Cody and I were on The Voice of the Martyrs website today and realized that it would only cost $30 a month to sponsor a missionary in India. . . $30, that's it! That means all some people would have to do is eat out 1 less time each month, give up drinking pop, stop by your favorite coffee shop only once a week instead of 3 or 4 times, or ride your bike to the store rather than drive. In Tortured for Christ, Richard Wurmbrand talks about how there are people in Communist countries and such who are ready and willing to give up there lives to serve God and to continue the work of Christ and his followers. . . they just simply need the support in the form of prayers, funds, and Bibles. So, what about you? What "sacrifice" could you make to save a much needed $30 a month to sponsor just 1 missionary who God is using to bring His Light into a world of darkness?
I understand that many of us were blessed by being born into our culture, however, that does not give us the right to disregard our brothers and sisters who are suffering elsewhere. Ephesians 5:2 says "And walk in love, as Christ has loved us, and has given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God…" (KJV) Now, if we are called to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for someone else, how much easier should it be to help a fellow Christian in need? In the great Commission, Jesus instructed us to go out and make disciples of all nations… What part of that don't we get? It is our duty and privelege to go into the world and preach the gospel… the least you could do is help a brother in need. (I am in no way claiming that everyone is called to serve in another country… but are you a missionary in your own town, church, or family?) Americans need a reality check… It isn't about how much of our money we give to God… it is about how much of God's money we keep for ourselves!! Matthew 6:19 says, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust does corrupt…" Money isn't going to last, so why not send it out to where God use it for more than our own ability?
So, how 'bout it… are you blessing the Lord with your finances?
