Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14).
In my work at a Christian mission organization, I see the process that people go through when raising support for the purpose of going to the mission field. For some, it seems to come easily. For others, it’s an uphill battle. The interesting thing is, those who struggle are no less called than those who don’t. They may just not be gifted when it comes to raising money.
I’ve also seen churches that struggle financially. Some may struggle due to bad decisions they have made. But others struggle because of a lack of giving on the part of parishioners.
Whether in missions or in the local church, the financial struggle is one that likely would not exist if the majority of Christians practiced the discipline of giving. Giving should not be done under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7), but it should be done regularly and generously.
Father, we pray that You will create within Your people generous hearts. We lift up the ministries, missionaries, and churches that are struggling financially. We pray that You will prompt Your people to give generously. We also ask You to provide encouragement to those who are preaching the gospel and barely surviving financially because of it. Help each of us to walk in obedience to You as we give to support those You have placed in ministry. Always remind us that the money and gifts You have entrusted to us belong to You, and not us. Amen.
Thought: Today I’d like you to examine where you are in the area of giving to support Christian ministries. Is generous and cheerful giving a regular part of your life? If not, why not? Use your journal to examine your heart in the area of giving. (Note: If you don't like to journal, spend some time in prayer on this topic.)
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