Over the next month, our church along with thousands of others will be challenged to give to missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. I want to share why giving to missions is such an important part of my life. I made my first commitment to missions giving when I was a 20 year-old college student. I committed to give $135 over several months during a stage in life when I was excited if I could round up enough money for a package of Ramen Noodles and a bag of microwave popcorn. Before that, I had never been challenged to pledge to give money to missions that I did not currently have and trust that God would provide. God did provide that $135 by the end of the semester and I have been giving to missions ever since.
The reasons that motivated me to make that first missions giving commitment over 25 years ago are the same reasons I still love to give to missions today and why I believe you should set a personal goal of what you will give to this year’s Lottie Moon offering above your normal tithe. Here are just a few:
I am given constant reminders of how God is providing
I kept an index card with my giving goal at the top and I subtracted the amount every time I was able to make a contribution. Sometimes it was $5, sometimes $15, but I was able to see constant progress toward my goal and each time it was a reminder that God was providing.
My faith is grown in areas other than finances
Seeing God provide in unexpected ways toward my giving commitment encouraged me to take steps of faith in other areas of my life with new confidence that God would provide in those endeavors as well. My first missions trip, my choice of college major, accepting my first “real job”, house purchases, and career changes are just a few areas in which my faith has been increased by seeing God provide through missions giving.
Everyone can participate
It doesn’t matter if you are young, old, poor or rich; we all can give.
- Jesus accepted a peasant boy’s five loaves and two fish and used them to feed thousands (Mt. 14:13ff).
- He said a widows contribution of a penny was greater than the rich man’s thousands (Luke 21: 1-4).
- He received the profits from the sale of property (Acts 4:36-37).
We are not called to equal giving, but equal sacrifice.
My heart is led to where Jesus’ is
Jesus tells us that our heart will follow our treasure (Mt. 6:21). So if I invest my treasure in people coming to know Christ, my heart is going to be filled with a passion to see people come to know Christ. I never have to worry about making a bad investment when I give my money toward the eternal reward of souls being saved.
I can be a part of a cause larger than myself
My small contribution is being combined with hundreds of others’ small contributions to send people to reach thousands for Christ. I play a vital role as a member of a team working toward the common goal of bringing the lost people of the nations to a relationship with their Savior.
Are you looking for a catalyst in your spiritual growth? Why not start praying now about how much you will trust God to provide for you to give to missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and then sit back and watch Him work!
Author: Executive & Discipleship Pastor Jeff Gordon
