Faith

So, we have established Ministry in general, waiting upon the Lord, and the basic scriptural calling for all Christians. Now it is time to step out and do what he has called us to do.

The famous Hudson Taylor says:

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."

Matt. 6:25-33 is a HUGE promise the Jesus gives us. If we cannot put our faith and trust into these promises than we should not even step out. With out the trust in these things we will ultimately fail in everything we do. We will burn out, waste away, see little fruit, and then we will blame it on God. In James 1 it talks about asking for wisdom and that God gives to anyone who asks, it also says that we need to believe that he has answered it. In the same way we must be confident in Christ and the promises He gives us.

Hudson Taylor is a perfect example of this trust in Gods provision. He made it a point to hold back from ever asking for financial help knowing that if God is the God he says He is then he should not have to worry.

This is where i get torn apart. I will send out a support letter every once and a while and I have had to ask for help from others before. Is this ungodly? No, Paul himself asks for help and is thankful for help financially. (Phil 4)

Now, I am here having to decide if I should send out support letters, or if I should not make mention of it at all. What I discovered has helped me realize that both are correct ways. Here was my pattern of thinking:

• i should send out support letters so they can know i am doing ministry and can be aware of what i am doing and so that i can have a good idea just about how much i have to live on each month.
• when i need help i am going to ask for help because some people just like it when you come out and say it, and it is a HUGE humbling process
• i am not going to ask, i will wait for them to ask me and my response will always be God takes care of me

Now, during this time i went to a church service where the pastor spoke about money and finances and i thought it was interesting because the reason that he felt comfortable speaking on such a tough subject was because Jesus talked about money and things like that for a good portion of his time here on earth.

Now, after i heard this i thought to myself if Jesus talked about it so much, why do we need to constantly repeat what he says about giving and things like that, shouldn't the people i get donations from be hearing from God and be capable from hearing from God rather than feeling convicted? So it was here i realized that i would rather have people give to me or my ministry based on their heart to give. Even Paul urges the church to give because it is more beneficial to them because it is getting stored for them in their heavenly accounts (Phil. 4)

Then i realized that the church today just didn't know that it was more amazing for them to give and lose some money for a moment and to receive an everlasting inheritance than to hoard their treasures in barns where moths and rust can get to it.

So, for me i would rather receive from someone who hears God tell them to give, someone who gives with joy, someone who does it because of God NOT me. Is it wrong any other way? NO, not at all, Paul urges people to do it, but that was more for their sake. So, as we, penniless missionaries for Christ, go out we must trust that God will provide for us.. Even if it means Crows bring us our dinner ;-)..

Have faith in God for His provision. Psalm 50:10 says he has "The Cattle on a THOUSAND hills"

ALSO>> I just want to make clear that i do believe that informing people and asking is a GOOD thing, it is not against God at all. I don't want anyone thinking i am condemning you.. If you feel convicted that is another story haha.. Favorite simple thing i have learned > Condemnation is saying that you are something ie. "you are a thief and there is nothing you can do about it" Conviction is saying that you are better ie. "you shouldn't steal because you are better than that"

Believe it